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| These robotic therapy pets will be provided for Florida seniors and older adults with Alzheimer's and dementia. |
In order to help them cope during the pandemic, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs is providing them with some furry new friends.
The agency announced on Monday that it's providing 375 therapeutic robotic pets
to socially isolated seniors and adults living with Alzheimer's Disease
and Dementia, according to a news release issued by the agency.
Robotic therapy pets can provide an alternative to traditional pet therapy.
"We
know social isolation disproportionately affects older adults, and
COVID-19 has required people with dementia and their caregivers to
remain alone for extended periods of time," the release states.
The state's Department of Elder Affairs
hopes the pets can help the seniors combat social isolation and
depression by improving their overall mood and quality of life.
An
alternative to traditional pet therapy, research shows that the robotic
pets have similar positive effects and is highly successful in
decreasing social isolation for older adults, according to the agency's
news release.
"We know social
isolation disproportionately affects older adults, and COVID-19 has
required people with dementia and their caregivers to remain alone for
extended periods of time," Department of Elder Affairs secretary Richard
Produm said in a statement. "We look forward to delivering these
therapeutic robotic pets to those who will benefit from their
companionship."
The
robotic pets were created by Ageless Innovation, a company that is
devoted to developing fun and engaging products geared toward older
adults.
The company has also
partnered with the Association on Aging in New York to distribute up to
1,1100 robotic pets to those who are at the most risk for social
isolation.
Full Article & Source:
Some Florida seniors isolated with Alzheimer's and dementia due to the pandemic are getting robotic therapy pets
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