ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the integration of social robots into the lives of people with dementia, and underlines how usability and user experience influence their acceptance, adoption and long-term usage by people with dementia. The content of this chapter is informed by the primary author's research on social robots and a review of related academic studies in dementia care and assistive technology. In this chapter, the authors highlight the fundamental design principles and considerations of social robots for people with dementia and mild cognitive impairments (MCI) for an enhanced user experience. The authors also emphasise the importance of perceived usefulness and overall trust of the users in social robots as key factors influencing the acceptance of these technologies. The essential functions and features of social robots to assist people with dementia to preserve autonomy and independence for a longer time, such as companionship and monitoring features, are also outlined. The chapter concludes that user-centred design and functions of social robots tailored to the needs, preferences, and abilities of people with dementia can enhance the overall user experience and acceptance of social robots and ensure the long-term success of the robots in dementia care.
