A Perspective on Robotics in the Caregiving Industry

 

There’s new tech in town and that includes the introduction of caregiving robots to meet demand. Researchers at the University of New Hampshire are receiving a $2.8M grant to develop assistive care robots that will ease the burden on caregivers.

Is this technology a worthy investment for the caregiving industry, or is the human connection irreplaceable?

Larry Carlson, MBA, Former President & CEO, of United Methodist Communities shares his perspective on robotic caregiving and its prospective place in the industry.

Robotic caregiving will never replace human contact. That said, there is a place for robotics. They can be good for enhancing human connection but never replace it. That might look like a product called It’s Never Too Late, or IN2L, run by a human or mechanical CAT initiated by a human or a monitoring system that supports the caregiver to respond in person more effectively.

Honestly, the idea of a robotic elder care system sounds terrifying to me. Dementia does not mean stupid. People with dementia diagnosis know the difference between a robot and a human. I also can see it inducing paranoia and fear. A faller alert system we piloted had a robotic voice when triggered that would come out of the ceiling that said, “Please sit down. Someone will be here to help you.”

It scared the daylights out of our residence, we had to turn it off. It just was not normal. The right kind of check is a useful investment, and what I think the tech industry needs to examine is who are they creating this tech for. Nothing seems to be aimed at the person with dementia or support the direct caregiver’s experience where most of the dementia support is needed.

There are lots of great ideas, but I feel like they’re developed by people who never had a relationship with someone with dementia.”

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

AMAG Technology
AMAG Technology: Control, Reliability, and Customer-First Supply Chain Excellence
April 2, 2025

At AMAG Technology, being customer-obsessed goes beyond a mindset—it’s built into every part of the operation. One of the company’s greatest strengths lies in its ability to manufacture its own products, offering a level of supply chain control that few competitors can match. Allan Price, Head of Global Supply Chain at AMAG, emphasizes how this…

Read More
visitor management solution
Reinventing Visitor Management Solution with Symmetry GUEST
April 2, 2025

In an age where speed and security are paramount, the traditional paper logbook is becoming a relic of the past. AMAG Technology’s Symmetry Guest system offers a modern, digital solution that redefines the way organizations welcome and manage visitors. Gone are the days of long lines and confusion at the front desk—Symmetry Guest empowers hosts…

Read More
AMAG
Driven by Customers, Defined by Innovation: Inside AMAG’s Customer-Obsessed Approach
April 2, 2025

AMAG Technology continues to strengthen its customer-obsessed culture by actively listening to both internal and external voices. As shared by Kyle Gordon, Executive Vice President of Global Sales, Marketing, & Commercial Excellence, the company is focused on improving processes, responding with speed, and driving innovation—while honoring its legacy and delivering unique value within the industry.

Read More
biotech
Biotech Moves Smarter: IDDI Powers Data-Driven Drug Innovation
April 2, 2025

As biotech innovation accelerates, small and mid-size pharmaceutical companies are becoming key players in bringing new treatments to market. Yet many of these organizations face steep challenges when navigating clinical trial design, regulatory approval, and data integrity. According to a McKinsey Global Institute report, industries like biotech could help generate up to $50 trillion…

Read More