Dominique Van de Velde

About

Dominique Van de Velde’s research sits at the vital intersection of gerontechnology, occupational therapy, and human-robot interaction, with a focused commitment to improving quality of life for older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Her major contributions center on understanding how socially assistive robots (SARs) can be effectively integrated into aged care settings. Through qualitative, stakeholder-driven studies, Van de Velde has illuminated the nuanced expectations and attitudes of both older adults with MCI and their caregivers toward robotic assistance, moving beyond technical feasibility to explore real-world acceptance and emotional impact. Her pivotal 2021 study, which examined how a SAR helped older adults cope with COVID-19 lockdown measures, has garnered 24 citations, highlighting its timely relevance. Further work, including her 2022 and 2024 papers, systematically identifies the factors that influence pre-implementation attitudes in assisted living facilities. By giving voice to vulnerable populations and their caregivers, Van de Velde’s research provides essential, human-centered insights that guide the ethical and practical deployment of assistive technologies, ensuring they serve not just as tools, but as compassionate companions in the journey of aging.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   The role of a socially assistive robot in enabling older adults with mild cognitive impairment to cope with the measures of the COVID-19 lockdown: A qualitative study

   24 citations · 2021
2. 2
   The perspectives of older adults with mild cognitive impairment and their caregivers on the use of socially assistive robots in healthcare: exploring factors that influence attitude in a pre-implementation stage

   11 citations · 2022
3. 3
   Socially Assistive Robots in Aged Care: Expectations of Older Adults with MCI in Assisted Living Facilities and Their Caregivers

   9 citations · 2024

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links