Caregiver Robots For The Elderly Are Here. What You Need To Know - Episode 64

Attention seniors and those who care for them! Did you know that by 2030, there will be a shortage of 1 million paid care workers in the US? Our present public health crisis already puts the burden of caring for older adults and disabled children on family members and friends. Family caregivers provide over $600 billion dollars of unpaid care. These family members are providing this care at the cost of their own mental and physical health.

Let's talk about what is happening in the Knollwood Military Retirement community.

Join the karaoke fun at the Knollwood Military Retirement Community in northwest Washington, D.C.! Retired U.S. Army Colonel Phil Soriano, 86, has hosted the singalongs since they started during a snowstorm happy hour in 2016. Stevie, a sociable robot resident at Knollwood, will co-emcee the upcoming show with Soriano. Soriano plans to sing "YMCA" while Stevie leads the dance moves, but it's not easy as Stevie doesn't have elbows. However, Soriano is more concerned with Stevie's comfort level, and the engineers are doing their best to make it a success. Don't miss the excitement and singing at Knollwood!

Stevie, a social robot, is teaming up with the Robotics and Innovation Lab at Trinity College Dublin and the non-profit retirement home Knollwood to explore the future of eldercare with artificial intelligence. Alongside a group of Trinity researchers, Stevie will spend several months at Knollwood to better understand how AI can be developed to aid both elderly individuals and their human caretakers. Their goal is to find ways to address the growing demand for care as more Americans age, and discover how robots can fill the gap in professional care.

At Knollwood, a retirement community, over 300 senior citizens ranging in age from 60 to 106 live in four different areas according to the level of care they require. Those older adults with greater physical or cognitive needs have 24-hour elder care nursing care in a hospital-style setting. Those in better health live in “Independent Living” apartments and enjoy the freedom to come and go as they please.

The Independent Living wing may remind you of a college dorm with decorated doors and bulletin boards filled with events. The residents have different levels of mobility but you might see walkers, coifs, or even décor reminiscent of the late Barbara Bush. One apartment door reads “Stevie”.