ABSTRACT
In this chapter, I explore the future of aged care, including a picture of a futurist nursing home that is run by robots: residents are cared for and seem happy, but there have been no human visitors for five years. Like many of us, I am conflicted about this vision. Why is it considered acceptable for us to be talking about robots that care for older people, when any suggestion of robots caring for babies in childcare is inappropriate? What is the difference? This is a conversation we must have, and in this chapter I outline how emerging innovations in artificial intelligence, robotics, connected and assistive technology and medical science are transforming the experience of illness, disease and old age.
