When robots care: Public deliberations on how technology and humans may support independent living for older adults

Social Science & Medicine
Pascale Lehoux, D Grimard

Abstract

While assistive robots receive growing attention as a potential solution to support older adults to live independently, several scholars question the underlying social, ethical and health policy assumptions. One perplexing issue is determining whether assistive robots should be introduced to supplement caregivers or substitute them. Current state of knowledge indicates that users and caregivers consider that robots should not aim to replace humans, but could perform certain tasks. This begs the question of the nature and scope of the tasks that can be delegated to robots and of those that should remain under human responsibility. Considering that such tasks entail a range of actions that affect the meaning of caregiving and care receiving, this article offers sociological insights into the ways in which members of the public reason around assistive actions, be they performed by humans, machines or both. Drawing on a prospective public deliberation study that took place in Quebec (Canada) in 2014 with participants (n = 63) of different age groups, our findings clarify how they envisage what robots can and cannot do to assist older people, and when and why delegating certain tasks to robots becomes problematic. A better understan...Continue Reading

Citations

May 28, 2019·The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences·Tijs VandemeulebrouckeChris Gastmans
Apr 18, 2020·Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology·Sajay ArthanatNaiqian Zhang
Aug 25, 2020·International Journal of Social Robotics·Gary Chan Kok Yew
Feb 27, 2021·Journal of Marriage and the Family·Deborah Carr, Rebecca L Utz
Mar 19, 2021·Science and Engineering Ethics·Tijs VandemeulebrouckeChris Gastmans
Nov 23, 2021·Journal of Nursing Management·Junhong ZhuCharlene H Chu

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