The use of robotic animals in dementia care: challenges and ethical dilemmas

摘要

This article looks at robotic pets and how they can be used in dementia care. The research discussed suggests that robot therapy could be beneficial to some people. The ethical dilemmas and challenges that need to be considered if planning the use of robotic pets is also discussed. Robot therapy can be used to enhance person-centred care rather than to replace human contact. Robotic pets can be used by nurses in their interactions with people who have dementia and nurses can play an important role in promoting this type of therapy. The article ends with recommendations and reflections about the inevitability of increased use of such therapy in the future.