The impact of care robots on older adults: A systematic review

This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines and analyzed 41 studies on care robots. These robots were categorized into three types: doll-like robots for emotional well-being, robotic devices for communication and physical assistance, and tablet-like for health management. This study primarily focuses on the impact of care robots on older adults, examining their effects on emotional well-being, quality of life, and health outcomes. While care robots positively impact depression and quality of life, concerns remain about usability challenges, which could contribute to hospital admissions and falls. The results suggest that care robots effectively reduce caregiving burdens and are well accepted by older adults. Although some studies indicate that care robots may help reduce caregiver burden, this effect is considered a secondary outcome rather than the primary focus of this review. Future care robots integrating advanced AI are expected to further reduce caregiver workload by addressing the specific needs of older adults.