Socially Assistive Robots in Elder Care: Acceptance, Ageism, Affordability, and Implications of its Use

General information

Code: J5-70195 Hvalič Touz
Period: 1.3.2026 - 28.2.2029
Project leader at FDV: doc.dr. Simona Hvalič Touzery
Research activity: Social sciences 

Abstract

There is sparse research on the reciprocity of community-dwelling older adults’ (CDOA) and innformal carers' (IC) perceptions of SAR - an aspect essential for successful implementation of SAR in elder care. Theoretical SAR acceptance models often overlook ageism, perceived costs and neglect the IC perspective. Studies rarely consider the human-robot-carer interaction (HHRI) scheme, crucial for real-life care scenarios. Furthermore, while price is a major factor influencing SAR adoption, existing studies primarily focus on high-cost solutions in institutional settings. There is an urgent need to investigate affordable companion SAR and effects of their use in home environments on CDOA and IC. Moreover, cultural context plays a pivotal role in SAR acceptance. Although studies have been conducted in Asia and, to a lesser extent, Europe, Slovenia lacks research in this area.

To address the critical gaps the proposed project will:

1. Conduct a scoping review and participatory World Café dialogues to develop an innovative theoretical framework of SAR acceptance in CDOA and IC taking into consideration ageism and perceived cost as specific constructs.
2. Undertake Slovenia’s first nationally representative survey to provide currently non-existing knowledge on the general attitudes of the Slovenian adult population towards SAR, focussing on their perceptions of SAR use in elder care and possible influence of ageism.
3. Empirically validate newly developed low-cost companion SAR acceptance models for CDOA and IC, investigating ageism and perceived cost as novel constructs through a national survey of these groups.
4. Evaluate the acceptance, experiences and effects of a low-cost companion SAR through a 4-month intervention study using the HHRI interaction scheme.
5. Create user-centred materials and a policy brief with actionable recommendations for policymakers and care providers.

The phases of the project and their realization

Phase 1. Assessment: An evidence inventory phase
Key activities: Scoping literature reviews, World Café with stakeholders 

Phase 2.  Empirical Study and Analysis  
Key activities: National representative survey, intervention study, integration of qualitative and quantitative findings

Phase 3. Dissemination and knowledge transfer
Key activities: Dissemination and exploitation of the results

Research Organisation

https://cris.cobiss.net/ecris/si/en/project/24538

Researchers

https://cris.cobiss.net/ecris/si/en/project/24538

Citations for bibliographic records

https://cris.cobiss.net/ecris/si/en/project/24538

Results / Key findings

Current selected publications within the project

Key words

acceptance factors, community dwelling older adults, informal carers, intervention study, slovenia, socially assistive robots

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG3 | Good health and well-being