Evaluating a co-developed pet robot intervention and implementation for residents with dementia in long-term care

Pet robots have the potential to improve the wellbeing of people living with dementia, particularly in residential care contexts. Despite increasing interest in their use and a body of research investigating their impact and effectiveness, more research is needed to support their translation into dementia care practice. This paper reports on the co-development and evaluation of a pet robot intervention and its implementation in a residential aged care facility to support the psychosocial wellbeing of residents living with dementia.

A pet robot intervention protocol and implementation strategies were co-developed in consultation with key stakeholders from a residential aged care facility. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants (residents) living with dementia. The pet robot intervention was delivered up to three times a week, for up to 30 min each time over a 6-week period. Following the intervention, residents with dementia, their family members and staff involved in delivering the intervention were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview to understand their experiences and perceptions of the impact of the intervention and its implementation. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using content analysis.

Eight residents with dementia had consented to participate, however one had passed away before the intervention commenced. At the end of the intervention period, eight participants including five residents, one family member and two staff consented to participate in the semi-structured interviews. Four key themes were generated: (1) perceptions of the attributes of pet robots, (2) opening doors: facilitating connections and participation, (3) integrating pet robots into routine care, and (4) moving forward: maximising impact and sustainability.

This study demonstrates the feasibility and potential impact of a 6-week pet robot intervention and implementation in a RACF facility to support residents living with dementia. Findings provide insights into strategies that might increase the routinisation of pet robots in dementia care; future studies could consider further refining, enhancing and formally evaluating these strategies.