A pilot study exploring staff acceptability of a socially assistive robot in a residential care facility that accommodates people under 65 years old

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 1075-1080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha M. Loi ◽  
Alice Bennett ◽  
Marta Pearce ◽  
Khanh Nguyen ◽  
Nicola T. Lautenschlager ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTSocially assistive robots have successfully been trialed in residential care facilities (RCFs) for older adults. These robots may have potential for younger adults (i.e. under 65 years old) who also live in RCFs. However, it is important to investigate staff acceptability and ease-of-use of these robots. This pilot study used the Technology Acceptance Model to investigate how staff working in a specialized RCF for younger adults accept Betty, a socially assistive robot who was introduced in the facility for 12 weeks. Twenty-four staff completed pre-questionnaires, reporting that they thought Betty would have the ability to engage and entertain the residents they cared for. While there were only eight staff who completed the post-questionnaires, there were significant improvements compared to the pre-questionnaire results in areas such as residents enjoying the contact and activities. Impacting on ease-of use were technical difficulties. Although this study had limitations and could be improved by a better response rate and investigating the residents’ acceptability of Betty, this study is one of the first to report that this novel technology may have much potential for engaging adults in RCFs.

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 393-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Chipps ◽  
Mary Ann Jarvis

Relocation to residential care facilities by older persons (60+) can decrease their social connectedness with their primary networks. The purpose of the study was to identify the use and acceptance of technology-assisted communication to increase social connectedness in older persons (N = 103) in an urban residential care facility in South Africa. The research design was a non-experimental quantitative descriptive survey using self-administered questionnaires based on the Technology Acceptance Model. All residents were included in the study. Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived Usefulness and Attitude scales were calculated and the Behavioural Intention for technology use was measured. Participants with the highest Behavioural Intention were residents in their first year of relocation, younger participants (60–74 years), divorced participants and participants with higher educational qualifications. Perceived Ease of Use and Perceived Usefulness were low and were directly correlated. Perceived Ease of Use contributed significantly towards Attitudes concerning technology use. The overall Behavioural Intention for technology use was good (60/75) and the Technology Acceptance Model pathway was confirmed using Structural Equation Modelling. Video chat offered greatest appeal for future use.


Author(s):  
Jenita Chiba ◽  
Jeanette Schmid

The lifespan of perinatally HIV-infected children in South Africa has increased owing to the availability of antiretroviral treatment, allowing growth into adolescence and beyond. There is limited knowledge of the lived realities of adolescents with HIV. This paper, using life story methodology and based on Blessing’s narrative, provides an intersectional, complex view of the experience of one such teenager who is perinatally HIV-positive, was abandoned by his family and is living in a residential care facility. His story powerfully illuminates the specific construction of adolescence in this context, focusing on identity formation and the need for connection. The narrative also points to service providers’ practice when engaged with such youths.


In the Netherlands geriatric rehabilitation is possible (among others) for patients who are selected by a geriatrician at the emergency department of a hospital. The aim of this study was to investigate the rehabilitation trajectory of patients who were selected for geriatric rehabilitation at the emergency department after a single contact with the geriatrician and to identify patient factors related to rehabilitation outcome. Successful rehabilitation was defined as discharge to home or a residential care facility after a maximum of 6 months. All patients who in 2016 were selected for geriatric rehabilitation were included. Data were collected retrospectively from electronic patient files. 74 patients were included (mean age 84.7 years). 84% were successfully discharged home or to a residential care facility within six months. The presentation with a fall and the absence of a partner at home was higher in the unsuccessful group. In the successful group more patients lived independent and without professional help prior to rehabilitation. Noteworthy is that the analysed patient group is a frail group, considering the high one-year mortality (21,6%) and overall functional decline despite geriatric rehabilitation.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Patrice Dennis

<p>The therapeutic use of music with older adults with dementia is widely documented, and family involvement is encouraged in both music therapy practice and dementia care services. This qualitative study explores and describes the experience of a student music therapist involving the family members of people with dementia in the music therapy process in a residential care facility. Grounded theory methodology informed analysis of the data sources. Secondary data was analysed and a theoretical perspective regarding family involvement in the music therapy process in this setting was developed. The findings are presented in main categories consisting of: building relationships, sharing information, unplanned family involvement in music therapy sessions, flexibility, spontaneity, joy and humour, and negotiation of the music therapist role in the community of the facility. The emergent theoretical perspective suggests that involving family members in the music therapy process in residential care facility is valuable in fostering and strengthening a sense of community between residents, family members and care staff.</p>


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Janita P Chau ◽  
Suzanne Hoi Shan Lo

Background and Purpose: Our previous study of 265 stroke survivors recruited immediately before discharge from two regional rehabilitation hospitals found state self-esteem, social support satisfaction, discharge location (home, residential care facility), and gender significantly accounted for 49% of the variance in depressive symptoms. The purpose of this study is to explore the challenges of promoting participation in life activities for stroke survivors. Methods: A qualitative study with individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted. Adult managerial persons who were responsible for the development of community, rehabilitation or residential care services for stroke survivors were recruited. All participants were asked to share the mission of their institutions, types of care services for stroke survivors, perceived importance of, barriers to and facilitators of promoting participation in life activities, and opportunities for enhancing stroke care services. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim for thematic analysis. Results: A total of 11 participants were interviewed. Five were in-charge persons of stroke support groups, two were legislators, two from residential care facilities, and two from community-based organisations. Four key themes were generated: (1) Being institutionalized was found associated with lower levels of psychosocial health, (2) Stroke survivors’ physical and cognitive limitations were perceived as key challenges in promoting participation in life activities, (3) Healthcare providers placed more emphasis on promoting physical rehabilitation than social participation, and (4) Physical environment particularly in residential care facilities posed greater challenges to promoting participation in real life activities. Conclusions: This highlights major challenges for healthcare professionals who care for stroke survivors in residential care facilities. Further studies that investigate the associations between environmental barriers, psychological morbidity and participation restriction is needed.


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