Högskolan i Skövde

Increasing age is often associated with a decline in the sense of health, well-being and quality of life, which can contribute to social isolation and a sense of loneliness. Demographic changes and the transfer of care from institution to home raise the need for innovative solutions to preserve and promote well-being and quality of life. There is a growing interest in using robots in care for older adults. Despite its potential to improve well-being, using robots in care for older adults remains limited. This paper adheres to the importance of having a user-centred approach as the focal point. The purpose is to explore social robots as a means to enhance the quality of life, and the research question is: What values can a social robot fill in everyday life for older adults? Qualitative data was collected in a workshop with eight older adults. The workshop consisted of two phases: 1) interaction with Pepper and 2) responding to a questionnaire followed by reflection and discussion individually and group-wise. Thematic analysis was conducted, which generated three overall themes: variation in the older adults’ first encounter experiences with Pepper; the participants’ main challenges in daily life at home; the potential value of having a social robot at home; and aspects affecting experienced value. The insights from the workshop resulted in the research project Social Robots in Home Environments for Older Persons’ Quality of Life - Needs, Opportunities and Obstacles (RO-LIV).