Bring on the robots

This week I’ve spent time online, reading some articles on devices that use virtual voices such as Alexa, Siri or Cortana, and wondering whether they could be of any help in caring, and in particular in dementia care.

I've come up with two really opposing views with regard to dementia. One says that it can be really alarming for dementia sufferers to have a disembodied voice suddenly speak, seemingly from nowhere. The other says that, used at the right time and in the right way, these devices can be useful.

At some stage, Hampshire County Council was apparently all set to roll these out to dementia patients via social care, only to be told they could be deeply distressing to anyone with limited cognition and that they might also end up being used in place of what was once done through human contact. And I can definitely see how tempting it would be for cash-strapped local authorities and medical agencies to end up relying on a device rather than physically turn up and give that much needed human touch.

Others still seem to feel they could be quite helpful for routine reminders and an easy way to tell the time, compile lists, and listen to the news or music in the earlier stages of dementia. Or for the use of carers to set reminders on behalf of those they care for.

I’ve thought long and hard about this. Even as someone with good cognition, I was initially really opposed to these devices, but since giving in to having one, I have to admit it is very handy, if limited, and actually I’m now waiting for the day when a more sophisticated robot moves in which can bring me a cup of tea when I come home tired, with no complaint or hesitation. And I definitely now think that virtual voice devices could help anyone with good cognition.

But I can see the potential problems when someone can’t grasp what the device is, or forgets it’s there and then feels the voice to be some malign force barking out orders from thin air, causing alarm and distress.

Do any of you use one of these devices, either for yourself or for the one you care for, and what are your experiences of it? If technology moves on, would you welcome the sort of robot that roams the house doing chores and helps you to assist the person you care for?

Or, are you totally opposed to using any kind of artificial intelligence at all?

[sassy59]

Hi Callendersgal, what an interesting post. We don’t have any device other than Siri. Oh I forgot, we can talk to our tv too but I don’t. I find talking to a device a bit odd but my family love all that. Lol.

My late mother-in-law would have probably been hunting around for the person at the end of the voice and wouldn’t have understood it at all. Hence I’m not sure about something like that being used for dementia sufferers.

I’m sure others would be of a different opinion and hopefully healthy debate will ensue.

Have a good weekend everyone and stay safe. Xxxxx

[Hidden in reply to sassy59]

Hi sassy59,

I think I'm with you. I remember how my dear late mum used to get confused even by the answerphone, long before we had artificial intelligence. And she didn't have a dementia diagnosis. But I guess that if you leave aside dementia of any kind, the generation who grow up with this, may be able to make better use of such technologies by the time they are in old age. I think my biggest fear about it all is that it's going to be such a temptation to use it instead of human beings and lessen proper human contact even more than now.

Likewise, enjoy your upcoming weekend and stay safe. Very best wishes. xxx

[5855]

Tried one for a week with Mum , she kept ringing me crying she was being haunted and a voice from beyond was talking to her and it scared her , no matter how many times I showed it to her and got her to talk to it , she just didn't like a voice coming from Nowhere !!

[Uzula in reply to 5855]

My mum definitely would`ve been the same. I bought her one of those snow globe type things once, glitter instead of snow, it had a picture of a black cat inside it because she adored black cats. I had to take it away from her because she thought a black cat was trapped inside the globe. Poor mummy, glad she`s at peace now...

[Hidden in reply to Uzula]

Hi Uzula,

How interesting! It just goes to show how careful carers have to be! Thanks so much for your input.

[Hidden in reply to 5855]

So interesting to hear that 5855! Thanks so much for your input. I thought this might very well be the case for anyone past the very early stages of dementia.

[Hellebelle]

Hi Callendersgal, it's an interesting debate and one which will probably rumble on for a long time as robots get more and more sophisticated.

We have Alexa and we use it all the time as a timer, a prompt and for information.

I work with people who have dementia and the issues you have raised are very pertinent. Every person with dementia is unique and some people will be a able to understand their device and find it useful, others could be distressed. Its also worth bearing in mind that as dementia is progressive, some people with dementia might start off using a device and then be unable further down the line.

One person I go to see, who lives alone, told me that he feels less lonely with his Alexa as it greets him every morning and prompts him throughout the day. He also has a good social life and sees friends each day so I don't think it can ever be a replacement for human contact. I think that could be a danger as local authorities are so cash strapped.

So, I think these devices can be a useful tool but should not replace human contact. Holding the plastic hand of a robot for comfort won't ever replace the warm reassurance of a human hand.

[Hidden in reply to Hellebelle]

Thanks so much for your insightful reply Hellebelle,

It's really appreciated as you have so much experience of all the stages and types of dementia.

It was interesting to hear of a positive experience, but I absolutely agree that such devices can only be an adjunct to human care. A warm touch from another human being can never be replaced. And more, touch is somehow at the heart of the basic needs of all sentient beings. And can often comfort when all other cognition is gone.

I think the conclusion must be that these devices might be of some help in the early stages of dementia, but should always be introduced with care and supervised properly.

I do wonder how things will shape up for those of us who develop dementia in future. As new tech is introduced, I fear that the gap in understanding between young and old, together with the financial challenges of looking after more people living for longer, will hasten the introduction of more artificial intelligence being used to help manage the situation. Perhaps without sufficient checks and balances being put into place. But let's hope not.

Thanks again so much, and very best wishes.