Sensing Companions: Potential Clinical Uses of Robot Sensor Data for Home Care of Older Adults with Depression

As healthcare shifts towards a patient centered model, robotic technology can play an important role in monitoring, informing, supporting, and connecting independently living individuals with various physical and mental health conditions. As part of a study evaluating the use of the Socially Assistive Robot (SAR) Paro in the homes of older adults with depression, we performed two focus groups with clinicians to discuss how they might use sensor data collected by domestic SARs in clinical practice. In the first focus group, participants discussed potential uses of currently available SARs and sensors by them and their clients. The second focus group took place after sensor data from sensors onboard the Paro robot had been collected in older adults' homes. Clinicians considered the data and what information might be most useful for supporting clinical care. Data regarding monitoring client health, such as behavioral changes in sleep and daily activity levels, were of particular interest to clinicians. They also suggested using SARs to provide clients with information and interaction could help them develop coping skills and alleviate symptoms.