The use of deception in dementia-care robots: Should robots tell "white lies" to limit emotional distress?

TL;DR

This paper explores the ethical and practical implications of using deception, including white lies, by dementia-care robots to reduce emotional distress and maintain dignity, highlighting a nuanced balance between care and honesty.

Contribution

It provides a contextual analysis of deception in dementia-care robotics, emphasizing ethical considerations and potential benefits in emotional well-being.

Findings

Deception can be ethically justified in dementia care to improve emotional outcomes.

White lies by robots may help preserve dignity and reduce distress.

The paper discusses the need for guidelines on ethical robot deception.

Abstract

With projections of ageing populations and increasing rates of dementia, there is need for professional caregivers. Assistive robots have been proposed as a solution to this, as they can assist people both physically and socially. However, caregivers often need to use acts of deception (such as misdirection or white lies) in order to ensure necessary care is provided while limiting negative impacts on the cared-for such as emotional distress or loss of dignity. We discuss such use of deception, and contextualise their use within robotics.