Ethical Considerations of Social Robots for Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing in Older Adults in Long-Term Care

TL;DR

The paper explores ethical issues of using social robots to support mental health in older adults in long-term care, emphasizing equitable access and inclusion.

Contribution

The paper introduces an equity-focused approach to address ethical challenges in deploying social robots for mental health in long-term care.

Findings

Ethical issues include inequitable access, consent, substitution of human care, and infantilization.

Marginalized groups, such as older adults with dementia, must be respectfully included in robot design and use.

Practical strategies are proposed to ensure ethical use of social robots in promoting mental health.

Abstract

Social robots are increasingly becoming utilized to address mental health challenges in older adults, such as depression, anxiety, and loneliness. However, ethical concerns surrounding their use are insufficiently explored in empirical research. This paper examines the ethical challenges and mitigation strategies for implementing social robots in long-term care settings. Drawing from insights gained over research across two Canadian studies involving Paro and Lovot, we highlight the critical role of an equity-focused approach to ensure the ethical use of social robots. We advocate for the respectful inclusion of the voices and desires of marginalized groups, such as older adults with dementia. Key ethical issues discussed include inequitable access, consent, substitution of human care, and concerns about infantilization. Our empirical work offers practical strategies to navigate these challenges, aiming to ensure that social robots promote mental health and well-being in an ethically responsible manner for older adults living in long-term care.