Robot deployment in long-term care : Case study on using a mobile robot to support physiotherapy.
BACKGROUND
Healthcare systems in industrialized countries face the challenge of providing care for a growing number of elderly people. Information technology has the possibility of facilitating this process by providing support for nursing staff and improving the well-being of the elderly through a variety of support systems.


OBJECTIVE
Little is known about the challenges that arise from the deployment of technology in care settings; however, the integration of technology into care is one of the core determinants of successful support. This article presents the challenges and options associated with the integration of technology into care using the example of a mobile robot to support physiotherapy for elderly people with cognitive impairment in the European project Spatio-Temporal Representations and Activities for Cognitive Control in Long-Term Scenarios (STRANDS).


CONCLUSIONS
This article presents the technical challenges associated with the introduction of robots in the context of care as well as the perspectives of physiotherapists involved and an overview of information and experiences gained. It is hoped that this will provide useful information for the work of researchers and practitioners wishing to integrate robotic aids into the caregiving process.
School of Computer Science, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, LN6 7TS, Lincoln, UK. kgerling@lincoln.ac.uk.
K
K
Gerling
Akademie für Altersforschung am Haus der Barmherzigkeit, 1160, Seeböckgasse 30a, Vienna, Austria.
D
D
Hebesberger
School of Computer Science, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, LN6 7TS, Lincoln, UK.
C
C
Dondrup
Akademie für Altersforschung am Haus der Barmherzigkeit, 1160, Seeböckgasse 30a, Vienna, Austria.
T
T
Körtner
School of Computer Science, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, LN6 7TS, Lincoln, UK.
M
M
Hanheide
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D005060:Europe; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000379:methods*; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012371:Robotics / Q000379:methods*; D012656:Self-Help Devices / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012944:Social Support; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014600:Utilization Review
Assisted living facilities; Assistive technology; Older adults; Robotics