Robotic Pets Could Be Solution to Social Isolation, Depression in Older Adults

A pilot program by the New York State Office for the Aging deployed about 60 animatronic pets in state households, and researchers are studying the devices' effect on senior caregivers, reports NBC 5 . Office Director Greg Olsen thinks animatronic pets could benefit senior community members who experience social isolation, and the agency is working with county offices to test this theory. "The majority of folks we serve are very old and frankly, they live alone and they may not see anybody outside the people that are providing them services," he noted. Franklin County Office for the Aging Director Becky Peeve adds, "The pet project is one of many of things we do locally to really combat social isolation, whether it be pairing someone with an actual volunteer, providing a home-delivered meal with a volunteer that sees that individual daily. Seeing the impact of what a small pilot project could do really for the individuals in our community, it was not only heartwarming but the right thing to do."