Will You Have 'Rosie' the Robot As Your Home Care Provider?

The future is now. The COVID-19 pandemic has left an indelible mark on the world, transforming numerous aspects of our daily lives. One area that has seen a significant shift is the health care sector. The crisis has accelerated the adoption of technology in ways that once seemed the stuff of science fiction. As the pandemic recedes, these changes are here to stay and continue to expand and evolve.

The need for contactless, efficient, and reliable health care solutions became evident in the face of the health crisis. Enter the age of health care robots. These machines are immune to biological viruses, require no vacations, and don't demand salary increases. As a result, they have become invaluable assets in the fight against the pandemic and beyond.

Speaking at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Rice University Professor Moshe Vardi said, "If machines are capable of doing almost any work humans can do, what will humans do?"

Cartoon Become Reality 

For those of us aged 40 and above, the concept of robots assisting in our daily lives might call to mind Rosie, the beloved humanoid robot maid from the classic animated television series, "The Jetsons." This once-fictional vision of the future has increasingly become a reality in today's world.

Another example that resonates with many is the 2012 science fiction comedy-drama film, "Robot & Frank." Set in the not-so-distant future, the movie tells the story of an aging jewel thief named Frank, whose son purchases a domestic homecare robot to assist him. Initially resistant to the idea, Frank eventually warms up to the robot when he realizes it can help him rekindle his career as a cat burglar.

While the scenarios depicted in "The Jetsons" and "Robot & Frank" may seem whimsical, they do offer a glimpse into the potential of robotics in health care and our everyday lives. Today, robots are being utilized in various aspects of health care, including patient monitoring, medication delivery, and even assisting in surgeries. 

Huge Benefits of Technology 

The benefits of these technological advancements are numerous, from reducing the risk of infection to increasing efficiency and precision in medical procedures.

As the world continues to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of robotics in health care will only grow more critical. The ongoing integration of these advanced technologies promises to revolutionize how we approach and experience health care, including long-term care, improving patient and caregiver outcomes.

It's a brave new world that we might never have imagined but now seems as natural as smartphones and high-speed internet. With the increasing presence of robots in the health care sector, it's clear that the once-imagined future has well and truly arrived.

In-Home Care and Robotics

Comedy. Science fiction. Well, wait just a moment. Valerie VanBooven, RN BSN, Editor in Chief of HomeCareDaily.com, writes in a recent column that robotics have been playing an increasing role in-home health care.

Automatic devices have been making life easier for those with the financial means to afford them. Now it's expected that this market will quadruple by 2025 and it will include benefits for the in home care industry as well.

The days of unconnected consumer robotics products are numbered, so says Greg Nichols writing in ZDNet Blog, quoting Philip Solis, Research Director at ABI Research.

Wi-Fi is rapidly becoming standard technology in home care robots, beginning with floor cleaners. Today, wireless connectivity merely allows robot systems to be controlled and monitored remotely, but looking forward, their connectivity, mobility, sensors, and functionality, such as machine vision, will expand their capabilities as part of the smart home.

Robots at Work Today

In recent years, robotics has become an increasingly integral component of modern medicine. Surgical and interventional robots are now commonplace in major hospitals across the United States and around the globe. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of this advanced technology, and its prevalence in health care is expected to continue to grow in the coming decades.

One country at the forefront of this technological revolution is Japan. With an aging population posing significant challenges for the health care industry and placing increased burdens on families, leading Japanese automakers, Toyota and Honda, have turned their attention to developing robots capable of performing a wide range of nursing services. These companies are spearheading efforts to address the unique needs of their country's elderly population and alleviate the strain on health care providers and family caregivers.

Robots Helping Hame Caregivers at Japanese Nursing Homes 

Already, an impressive 60% of nursing homes in Japan have embraced the use of robotics to improve care for their residents. Driven by the rising demand for long-term health care solutions due to the growing elderly population, this technology has assumed a pivotal role in caregiving. 

Notably, integrating robotics in nursing homes has yet to lead to the displacement of human caregivers. Instead, it enhances their capabilities and complements their efforts, ensuring that the highest standards of care are maintained.

The introduction of robotics in health care is not merely a trend—it is a lasting transformation that promises to shape the future of medicine and caregiving. As the world's population continues to age, the demand for innovative, efficient, and compassionate health care and long-term care solutions will only increase. 

With its versatility and ever-evolving capabilities, robotics is poised to play a crucial role in meeting these challenges and ensuring that quality care is accessible to all.

Researchers have discovered that robot-adopting nursing homes had eight to eleven percent more staff than those who didn't adopt robots.

This is not some futuristic fantasy - it is today. The best example of where technology can enhance human care recipients, their caregivers, and families is in long-term health care. Jesse Slome is the executive director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. He sees the future very clearly. 

There will be a growing need for Long-Term Care in the United States as 76 million baby boomers reach old age. There will be a huge demand for care and a shortage of caregivers.

Robots Will Help Humans - Not Replace Them

Although robotics can offer cost-saving benefits compared to human caregivers, it is important to recognize that they will not completely replace their human counterparts. Both robots and humans come with associated costs, but the integration of robotic technology in long-term care and other areas of health services is aimed at enhancing and complementing the work of human caregivers rather than replacing them entirely. By incorporating robots into the caregiving team, more people can access quality care, enabling health care providers to better meet the needs of an aging population.

As the number of individuals requiring long-term care services continues to rise, the financial burden on families and individuals also grows. The cost of these services can quickly deplete retirement savings and significantly impact a family's quality of life. 

The financial burden on families is a significant concern. Traditional health insurance, including Medicare and supplements, does not pay for these services. Not everyone has Long-Term Care Insurance that does pay for long-term health care. Medicaid will also pay for long-term care services only when the recipient has little or no income and assets. Many times untrained and unpaid family members, usually adult children, step in as caregivers because there is no other option.

By introducing robotics into the caregiving equation, it is possible to mitigate some of these financial pressures, making long-term care more accessible and sustainable for a greater number of people.

It is worth noting that the use of robotics in health care is not intended to diminish the value of human caregivers. Rather, it seeks to address the increasing demand for care, streamline processes, and alleviate the workload on health care professionals. 

By working in tandem with robots, human caregivers can focus on the essential aspects of their job that require a human touch, empathy, and compassion, ultimately resulting in improved patient outcomes and overall care quality.

As we move forward into a future where robotics plays a more significant role in health care, it is crucial to strike a balance between leveraging the benefits of these advanced technologies and preserving the indispensable role of human caregivers. In doing so, we can ensure that health care systems are equipped to meet the evolving needs of an aging population while prioritizing the well-being of patients and caregivers alike.

Valerie VanBooven says that the physical burden on human caregivers is a concern.

Many of these tasks are currently being performed by home care aides, home health care providers, and in some cases family members. A major concern is the physical toll it can have on these men and women offering that level of physical support.

VanBooven emphasizes that robotics can alleviate the burden placed on human caregivers and family members and improve overall safety. Injuries are more likely to occur when home health aides or family members attempt to perform heavy lifting repeatedly without adequate support or proper training. By integrating robots into the caregiving process, such risks can be minimized, enhancing the safety and well-being of both patients and caregivers.

It's not expected that this boom in robotics technology for in-home care will replace home care aides or the need for them, but rather offer another level of physical assistance to help make life easier for seniors and disabled adults for whom some of these daily tasks become too difficult or even impossible to do on their own.

Long-Term Health Care is Expensive

Personal funds will still be required to pay for these home health care robots as custodial extended care services are not paid for by anything other than Long-Term Care Insurance and Medicaid.

Long-Term Care Insurance will, in many cases, pay for these future robots. Many policies have 'alternative care' provisions that can pay for these types of services. Matt McCann, a leading expert on long-term care planning, says some policies have cash benefits that can be used to pay for your future robot.

In either case planning to safeguard your future retirement savings is essential. Affordable Long-Term Care Insurance can provide the resources to deal with the financial costs and burdens of aging. Many people start planning when they are younger as they continue to fund their 401(k) 's at work to protect those assets and make sure they will never burden their family.

Need to Plan and Prepare for the Future

The growing presence of robotics in health care, particularly in long-term care settings, offers a promising solution to the challenges presented by an aging global population. By reducing the physical burden on human caregivers and family members, robots can improve the quality and safety of care while complementing the essential human touch that remains integral to caregiving.

However, it is crucial to recognize that the increasing demand for long-term care services will continue to have significant financial implications for families and individuals. Planning for these costs and burdens well before retirement is a good idea. By doing so, you can ensure that you have the necessary resources in place to access the care they need without compromising their financial stability or quality of life.

In light of these considerations, families and individuals should explore various options to prepare for the potential costs of long-term care. This may involve obtaining Long-Term Care Insurance, considering alternative living arrangements, or establishing a dedicated savings plan specifically for future care needs. 

In addition, it is wise to stay informed about the latest developments in health care technology, as innovations like robotics will continue to shape the landscape of long-term care and potentially impact its cost structure.

Maintaining an open dialogue with family members and loved ones regarding long-term care preferences and expectations is also necessary. By discussing these matters openly and honestly, families can work together to develop a comprehensive plan that addresses the financial aspects of long-term care and the emotional and practical concerns that come with aging.

The integration of robotics in long-term health care represents an exciting step forward in the evolution of care, offering the potential to greatly enhance the quality and accessibility of care for aging populations. By planning for the costs and burdens associated with long-term care and staying informed about emerging technologies, individuals and families can better prepare for a future in which robotics and human caregivers work hand in hand to provide the best possible care for those in need.

The future is here, and you may have your own personal robot sometime in the future.