The residents at the Greenwich Woods Health Care Center are elated at the sight of Paro, the robotic baby seal. The inmates of the home are patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Paro Robots from Japan have designed the robotic seal and a number of hospitals and nursing homes have been using the creature as part of the therapy for treating dementia.
Patient Holding Paro Robotic Seal
Greenwich Woods has been working with Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter to improve patient care standards for those suffering from dementia. They have recently bought the Paro robot and have found positive changes in patients at the home. The robot was successful in evoking reactions from patients who were generally cannot speak or respond and also had a calming effect on agitated patients.
When compared to therapy using pet dogs, Paro robot proved to evoke better responses. The maker of the robot chose to give it the form of a seal because seals were considered to be non-threatening animals. The director of the home, Cheryl Doeberl, mentioned that some of the residents had fear of dogs, but they were at ease with Paro and were able to hold it as well. Maintenance of Paro is easy; it is charged with the help of an object that looks like a pacifier and cleaning and sanitising of its fur is done on a daily basis. Doeberl explained that the robot kindled pleasant memories in the patients when they hold and care for it. Another patient who is suffering from Down syndrome responds well to Paro, it has a calming effect when he holds it.