Studies are mixed on whether automatons can cure loneliness, but some seniors like the cleanliness and convenience of robotic pets. By Trevor Hembling Loneliness is a big problem for many elderly Americans. One-third of adults older than 45 say they feel alone, and...

I plan to name my robot Jeanne Calment, after the French super-ager who lived to be 122. Jeanne will like to read British mysteries, go to the theater and eat cheesecake while standing in front of a refrigerator (the calories are less that way.) In other words, she...

I just learned there is a bell-shaped curve on the age of adoption of stuffed animals. The young have always loved them and now people on the older end of the age spectrum are adopting them as well. Many older adults continue to have cherished live pets–in a...

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Robots are increasingly replicating more and more lifelike human behavior, but can they imitate animals? This is a different twist on robotic pets and scientists say they can serve as friends and therapy aids to the growing elderly population.  

[with video] ***This story and video originally ran/aired on USA Today. It’s reposted here with permission.*** Brooklyn resident Marilyn Stone* isn’t your typical early tech adopter. She’s 95 years old, can’t see or hear very well anymore, and grew up in a time when...

Jennifer Jolly | Special to USA TODAY When you think of tech early adopters, this Brooklyn resident isn’t who typically comes to mind. She’s 95 years old, can’t see or hear very well anymore, and grew up in a time when the hottest new gadgets around were toaster ovens...

Here, robo kitty! When elderly clients of the Bronx-based RiverSpring Health Plans are feeling low, they might get a cat in their lap — a robotic cat that is. Susan Garelick, 66, did. After she said goodbye forever to her 14-year-old feline two years ago, she was...

Those ages 50 and older in the U.S. generate $7.6 trillion in economic activity, according to AARP, representing a huge financial force. That trend will grow as the number of older adults more than doubles by 2050, representing over 20% of the population.  

It's Amazon Prime Day and this product which we love has a rating of almost five stars. There are over 1,100 reviews! Aging seniors that cannot care for a companion animal will love this cat companion as it's almost a real pet. It's much more than a plush toy! Pets...

Without a doubt, the hardest thing about getting older is watching the people you love get older, too. Your aging parents or loved ones deserve to spend their remaining years with as much love and warmth as possible, especially if they are battling an illness.

Pilot study finds Joy for All robotic companion pets improve interactions, behaviors and quality of life in hospice dementia patients. It has been widely reported that animal-assisted therapy can help individuals cope with stress, reduce depression, prevent loneliness...

It’s important to remember when talking about disability, that the term is much broader than we normally think. It's such a broad umbrella that encompasses things you can be born with, like autism or blindness, but also a broken leg or Alzheimer’s. In 2016, the...

When her aunt passed away last November, Carrolyn Minggia, 64, felt isolated. The Brooklyn Heights resident had moved from Philadelphia to NYC four years prior to care for her aging relative, who suffered from cancer and dementia. After her death, Minggia, who never...

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Long after serving our country, too many vets fight for a sense of peace. An unusual form of pet therapy provides a source of comfort and companionship at Charles George VA Medical Center. "I'm 100 percent disabled, and I have PTSD," says...

Residents of Parkwood Village’s Memory Care Unit in Pratt now have a dog to call their own, courtesy of the Pratt Lions Club. At a special dedication ceremony Wednesday, May 15, staff, administration (and Lions Club members) already found the animated Golden Doggie...

Older people tend to not have pets. Whether it’s too much upkeep or their living situation doesn’t allow for it, the fact remains true. According to a press release from the University of Cincinnati, Claudia Rebola, an associate professor and graduate studies...

CINCINNATI, OHIO–It’s no secret that pets bring joy to their owners’ lives. Caring for animals keeps us active, gives us purpose, provides stress relief, and builds a loving bond. Studies show pets can even increase people’s lifespans. For some older populations,...