Socially assistive robots for storytelling and other activities to support aging in place

This chapter addresses how socially assistive robots can assist older adults as they age in place. When examining challenges with aging in place, isolation is found across all locations a person chooses to grow old. Isolation arises due to a reduction in social network, reduction in the amount of time spent outside the home, or lack of social contact. We examine different technological solutions to assist older adults who decide to age inside their home and how they can be used to keep individuals safe. We then examine different systems to help older adults connect to their community and solutions to address isolation. Finally, we explore socially assistive robots and how they are being used to assist older adults. We feel socially assistive robotics will become increasingly popular as advancements in natural language processing are made which will allow robots to converse naturally with their users.