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Is it not possible to introduce these widows and widowers to each other to form new social groups in a self sustaining way?
by joshlemer 4y ago
Is it not possible to introduce these widows and widowers to each other to form new social groups in a self sustaining way?
- mindslight 4y agoIME, not really. They're set in their ways and patterns. To get any action out of an elderly person, caregivers have to put much more effort in. Their attitude basically boils down to "I don't need it", whether it is engaging with technology, leaving the house to see someone they already know, or anything that takes work (which is everything). Could a social network with real people be better than a "robot", while having similar activation energy? Perhaps. But the ultimate problem is a complete lack of self actualization due to complete disruption of their calcified patterns. So any technology is going to have to be very purpose-tailored, and still overtly pushed by caregivers. Faceboot and "senior centers" are for grey-haired young people.
- wswope 4y agoThanks for taking the time to write up your firsthand perspective! I was skeptical after reading the Smithsonian article (because hell if I’d personally want one of these robots in old age), but your explanation of their utility makes a lot of sense and fully changed my opinion.