Table 2 Responses to open question on general feelings towards companion robots for older people (Q4)
Response | N (%) | Example Evidence |
|---|---|---|
Positive | 44 (66) | “it would be very therapeutic for them” “I think it would be very successful in providing comfort to my relative with dementia, particularly the dog, for nostalgic purposes” |
Mixed | 10 (15) | “I struggle with the concept of replacing care with robotics but in neurodegenerative diseases such as AZ dementia it can be harder on family members sometimes and if it stimulates/soothes them then maybe” “A good idea, the problem would be making the robot responsive enough without it being too expensive” |
Negative | 5 (7) | “I would have thought it was a bit ridiculous” “I would be slightly worried of infantilising the person, the person may get upset or see it as a trick” |
None | 8 (12) |