From dogs to cats, pets can play a key role in many elderly people’s lives.
But keeping animals as pets in care homes isn’t always practical, and instead, scientists suggest that robotic alternatives could be the solution.
In the study, researchers from the University of Exeter looked at evidence from 19 studies involving 900 care home residents, staff and family members.
The analysis revealed that these ‘robopets’ can provide comfort and pleasure, and reduce loneliness for elderly people in care homes.
Dr Rebecca Abbott, from the University of Exeter Medical School, said: "Although not every care home resident may choose to interact with robopets, for those who do, they appear to offer many benefits.
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“Some of these are around stimulating conversations or triggering memories of their own pets or past experiences, and there is also the comfort of touching or interacting with the robopet itself.
“The joy of having something to care for was a strong finding across many of the studies."
Several different robopets were involved in the studies, including a bear called Cuddler, a baby seal called Paro, and cats called Necoro and Justocat.
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While the researchers acknowledge that robopets aren’t for everyone, they suggest that training staff with the robots could help care home residents to feel more at ease.
Dr Noreen Orr, co-author of the study, said: “It is not always possible to have a cat or a dog come into a care home, so robopets can offer a good alternative.
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“Of course robopets are no substitute for human interaction, but our research shows that for those who choose to engage with them, they can have a range of benefits.
“A new wave of more affordable robopets may make them more accessible to care homes."
