Lewisham retirement complex uses robots for resident care

Vera Gadsdon, 74, is a resident at Hazelhurst Court, a retirement housing complex in Lewisham, where she is assisted by a robot named Robert. Robert, developed by the tech healthcare firm Cera, provides reminders for medication and other daily tasks, as well as offering companionship. The complex has 24 residents using these robots, each programmed with individual medical requirements and personal calendars.

Robots in Daily Care

The robots at Hazelhurst Court are designed to assist with a range of activities. They can remind residents when to take medication, prompt them to do laundry, and even offer advice on hobbies like knitting. Each robot is tailored to the specific needs of the resident it serves, including their medical history and daily schedule. Some residents report feeling less lonely with the robots, while others use them to connect with family members.

Pinar Elmaz, a human carer at the complex, described the robots as an additional tool for the care team. She stated that they are not intended to replace human carers but to supplement their work, allowing them to check in on residents and ensure medication and hydration are managed. The robots are programmed to prompt residents for meals, activities like bingo, or watching television.

Limitations and Potential

While the robots can perform tasks that follow instructions, their capabilities in areas requiring judgement or emotional understanding are limited. Tech expert James Erskine noted that robots excel at routine tasks but struggle with problem-solving or interpreting a person's emotional state. He suggested that robots are best suited for monitoring health metrics like vital signs and spotting falls, but human connection is essential for assessing overall well-being and happiness.

Cera, the company behind the robots, claims its artificial intelligence tools can reduce hospital admissions by as much as 70%. The company also states that its robots can increase the capacity of care teams by 20%. Dr Ben Maruthappu, founder and CEO of Cera, was motivated to develop these solutions after experiencing difficulties organising home care for his mother in London following a fall.

Cera reports that approximately 1,000 people across England are currently utilising their assistive robots. The company, which has grown to become Europe's largest health tech firm with 13,500 staff and nearly £500 million in annual revenue, aims to address inefficiencies in the care sector through technological innovation.

Future of Care

The integration of robots like Robert into retirement housing complexes signifies a shift towards technological support in elder care. While the robots offer practical assistance and a degree of companionship, the extent to which they meet the fundamental human need for connection remains a subject for ongoing observation.