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Research shows that about a third of people above the age of 85 have some form of dementia, and it can be incredibly debilitating both for those diagnosed and the carers. Because this can cause behavioral and social changes, you’ll find a lot of people who live with it have been admitted to nursing homes or special care facilities. While this helps prevent any unwanted or negative interactions with others, it can be lonely.
Animals have played a large part in therapy for people with mental or cognitive disabilities. The use of animal-assisted therapy has been around since the 1700s. But having these living beings visit nursing homes to accompany residents is fairly new, but also not always possible.
In this guide, we talk about how robot pets — from dogs and cats, may benefit diagnosed individuals and the best products to buy for this purpose.
The Joy For All Orange TabbyThe Orange Tabby can make feline lovers melt with its realistic features and personality that are likened to a real one. | The Chongker Handmade Realistic Stuffed RagdollThe Chongker Handmade Realistic Stuffed Ragdoll has the true-to-life appearance of a real kitty but has all the benefits of a robot that will stay by its owner’s side. | The Joy For All Freckled PupThe Freckled Pup may be a robot but it has the soft fur, features, and personality of a real canine that can help combat the loneliness of an aging loved one. |
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When it comes to robot pets, the first thing people think of is usually a robotic dog. After all, they are man’s best friends. But our top pick for this guide is none other than a robotic feline from Ageless Innovation’s Joy For All.
These robotic felines are designed to keep seniors company no matter their living situation. Cats, being independent creatures, are also known to be low-maintenance. That makes felines the perfect robot for seniors who may not have enough physical endurance to take care of a living being.
The Orange Tabby can interact with humans in unique ways, such as making Vibrapurr purring sounds when it’s happy and nuzzling up to its owners when they want attention. The Joy For All robotic feline also has a heartbeat that you can feel when you put it close to your chest and hug it tight.
What makes this one realistic is the sensors all over its body that allow it to react to human touch. That way, anyone will feel like they’re caressing a real one.
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✔️ Realistic synthetic fur ✔️ Responds to the human motion and touch ✔️ Realistic meows and facial expressions | ✖️ Not many tricks |
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Chongker is a companion-animal company that specializes in handmade plushies. While not a robot per se, we’re completely dazzled at its true-to-life appearance.
The Realistic Stuffed Ragdoll is not a robotic kitty, but it’s perfect for seniors in social isolation who just need the comfort of something sitting by their side for a bit of social interaction and positive impact.
The company also focuses on providing alternatives for those who have experienced the loss of their own kitty, or those who are too old to keep up with the demands of having a living companion, like changing the litter box and giving food.
Each of the ragdoll’s eyes is individually painted and each of the toe beans is made with embroidered fabric. That means no two are the same when you buy from Chongker, making the experience all the more personalized.
Unlike a real kitty, this one won’t run around, scratch up the couch, or require litter maintenance. Instead, owners can relax while caressing their new furry pal. It even comes with a little comb so one can brush its fur — that’s certainly a calming activity for your loved ones to enjoy.
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✔️ Handmade ✔️ Each feature is uniquely designed ✔️ Stays still and requires no maintenance ✔️ Realistic appearance | ✖️ No movement |
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Another contender from Joy For All is their cute Freckled Pup. This ginger pup has all the incredible social features that we know and love from other Joy For All models: a live “heartbeat,” soft fur, and built-in sensors that allow it to answer to touch.
Much like other dogs and cats from the brand, the Freckled Pup is designed to help older adults in social isolation cope with feelings of loneliness.
What sets the Freckled Pup apart from a weighted plush is its interactive ability. Its sensors placed all over the body allow it to bark, wag its tail, or nuzzle its head against its owners like a real one.
Of course, it also helps that this one has a super friendly appearance, with its huge floppy ears and soft muzzle.
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✔️ Soft fur ✔️ Weighted plush ✔️ Highly interactive but hassle-free ✔️ Realistic movements and gestures | ✖️ Pricey |
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The Perfect Petzzz Lab Retrievers are lifelike, breathing plush dogs designed to provide the comfort and companionship of a real being without the associated responsibilities.
Available in Golden, Chocolate, and Black Lab varieties, these adorable pups feature 100% handcrafted synthetic fur, making each puppy irresistibly soft to the touch.
For diagnosed individuals, interaction with these plushies can be particularly beneficial. Engaging with a Perfect Petzzz can help reduce feelings of isolation, promote relaxation, and evoke fond memories. The gentle, rhythmic breathing of the toy offers a soothing presence, providing a sense of calm.
Each Perfect Petzzz Lab Retriever comes with a plush bed, collar with tag, brush, and an adoption certificate, enhancing the experience of ownership for your loved ones. It’s like owning a real puppy without the responsibilities that come with it!
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✔️ Reduces anxiety and agitation ✔️ No feeding or veterinary care required ✔️ Soft, realistic feel with handcrafted synthetic fur ✔️ Includes accessories for a complete experience | ✖️ Limited interactivity ✖️ Not machine washable; spot cleaning recommended |
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If you’ve already provided your mother or loved one with robotic felines or dogs and have seen positive effects, why not give them other pets on your next visit?
The Electronic Hamster by Homily is a talking toy that repeats what you say back to you, making this robot the possible new best pal for your loved one.
Having someone to talk to – even a stuffed toy – can greatly improve one’s mood, and that especially holds true for isolated seniors who are in need of social interactions and memory care.
With that said, the Electronic Hamster by Homily ticks out this box thanks to its artificial intelligence features that help get it to talk. Said feature definitely helps in aiding the memory care of your loved one!
The Electronic Hamster not only provides emotional support but entertainment, too. This robot hamster has high amounts of energy and silly reactions that will lighten anyone’s mood. Plus, you won’t have to remember to give it food every now and then, but simply enjoy its visit.
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✔️ Easy to care for ✔️ Entertaining and funny movements ✔️ Helps in memory care because it can repeat what you say | ✖️ Limited settings and interactive features |
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Many elderly individuals can get lonely easily without anyone to talk to. To combat that isolation, it’s advisable to give them companion pets that can give them comfort and entertain them at the same time.
A robotic kitty or pup is usually the first choice, but a bird like the Holiberty Talking Macaw Parrot works just as well.
This robot parrot by Holiberty is magical as it can repeat whatever the person says. You can say anything, laugh, sing, or speak any language, its callback feature will repeat anything at all, helping improve the cognitive skills of any senior. It also has a switch that allows it to mimic sounds and move its body along as it does.
Best of all, its body is constructed using high-quality fabrics that are soft and skin-friendly. Anyone who owns the Talking Macaw Parrot will find a huggable pal that they can easily converse with.
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✔️ Can repeat and mimic sounds ✔️ Can shake its body and flap its wings ✔️ Powered by three AAA batteries ✔️ Soft and skin-friendly fabric | ✖️ Limited interactive features |
Robot pets have been shown to have positive effects on the mental well-being of dementia patients. Similar to live animals used in animal therapy, they have a number of benefits, including reduced stress, improved physical mobility, and reduced feelings of isolation.
This means that they may be used in lieu of their living counterparts for many individuals, whereas a live one may cause additional stress to the owners or to the animals themselves. They may forget things like feeding time, cleaning out the litter box, or taking them out for a walk. On the other hand, robots require almost no responsibility, no vet bills to pay, and no memory care.
Robots cannot completely replace their living counterparts but they are still a great alternative for anyone, be it elderly or children, who might not be able to take care of living creatures. There may be cases where living companions trump over robotic ones but thanks to technology developing each day, more and more robots can now provide a realistic experience of owning and raising a pet.
Researchers found that robots have been found to have positive effects on diagnosed individuals who may experience high agitation. Dr. Sandra Peterson, a senior health consultant at Pegasus Senior Living, authored a study that showed a robotic baby seal pet (PARO) helped in reducing feelings of stress and the use of psychoactive medications.
A lot of bots can help individuals who are afflicted with it. They can help decrease feelings of isolation, reduce anxiety, improve cognitive abilities, and provide comfort. Every robot that we listed in this guide can help people who are diagnosed.
Aside from the ones listed in this guide, The Joy For All Companion Golden Pup is a favorite of many. The Golden Pup is also a winner of the Caregiver-Friendly Award multiple times, which is a testament to how this golden retriever robot brings comfort to many senior adults.
Selecting the best one for a diagnosed elderly depends on individual preferences and care capabilities. Your chosen robot model should offer companionship without the demands of a live animal, making it an excellent choice for those who may struggle with traditional care.
For dementia patients, pets that provide comfort and require minimal maintenance are ideal. These robot pets must help alleviate feelings of isolation and anxiety, offering a therapeutic presence without the responsibilities of feeding, grooming, or medical care.
How do robotic companions help people with Alzheimer’s?
Robotic companion pets for diagnosed seniors help owners in several ways, physically and mentally. They provide company through interaction in social situations where human exchange may not be a good idea and can also improve memory recall and cognitive function.
However, since research is relatively new, it is quite limited – but small-scale projects that focus on easing the emotional burdens of residents have thus far proven to be positive.
There are also firsthand stories that speak of how robot dogs have helped seniors who require memory care and more.
What is the most realistic robotic pet?
The realism varies across models. The Perfect Petzzz Lab Retrievers are noted for their lifelike appearance and breathing motions, providing a convincing experience. However, for more advanced interactivity, options like Tombot, showcased at CES, mimic real behaviors more closely, including responding to touch and voice commands.
Finding the right robot pet for dementia patients needn’t be difficult. With this guide, you’ll find plenty of suitable options from a canine to a bird, and each one will bring comfort, warmth, and unconditional love to anyone. For those with aging loved ones who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you may want to take a look at our guide on the best robot pets for Alzheimer’s.
Ageless Innovation’s Joy For All line focuses on providing a stress-free alternative for older adults. That’s why our pick for the best animatronic fur friend is none other than the Joy For All Orange Tabby – the same kitty we named the Best Robotic Feline Companion in our Best Robot Cats guide.
Perfect for feline lovers, this is designed with advanced technology that allows it to move and sound exactly like its living counterpart. This time, you’re not just getting a plastic toy that moves its head or gives a weak meow.
Instead, its soothing presence and quick responses can help patients who are in social isolation, which gives it almost the same health benefits as a live animal.
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