Dogs and cats offer great companionship.
They also require routine veterinary care, regular exercise, food, medications, toys, and grooming. It can be costly and difficult when mobility is an issue.
If your parents are looking at a pet for companionship, there are alternatives. A robotic animal offers a level of companionship and doesn’t require the same level of care as a live cat or dog does. New batteries and spot cleanings are going to be the biggest aspects of the care and maintenance of a robotic cat or dog.
How a Robotic Animal Works
Companies like Joy for All have robotic companion pets that are designed to look and sound real. They operate using batteries and respond to touch. A cat will start purring if you pet its head or scratch its chin. It moves its body, its tail, and can turn over to expose the fur on its stomach for stroking.
There’s also a robotic dog that wags its tail, barks, and has a heartbeat. It responds to touch, motion, and sound, so your mom or dad can walk by and trigger the dog to interact and get your parents to stop and pay attention to it. If they talk to it, it barks back.
A newer robotic dog, TomBot, is more expensive, but it responds to simple voice commands as a real dog would do. It also has a rechargeable battery, which saves on the cost of replacement batteries.
The feel and sounds of these robotic animals are soothing. They come with a brush for grooming. If anything gets on the faux fur, spot washing is easy to do.
Are They Effective?
How effective are robotic dogs and cats? Alabama, Florida, and New York started programs during the COVID-19 pandemic to combat loneliness as the elderly became more isolated from their families. Government agencies bought these robotic pets to give to older adults who were unable to see their families.
The program proved effective as approximately 7 out of 10 older adults who signed up to get robotic pets felt less isolated and lonely within the year. It’s been so effective that Alabama is looking to expand the program.
Elderly care providers are another choice. Your parents have a friend stopping by regularly to talk to, to go out with, or to share a meal with. Elderly care providers do more than offer companionship. They’ll have help with household chores, errands, and personal care. Call to learn more.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Senior Care in Turnersville, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Attentive Care Inc. at 1-800-493-5660
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