The AAL Lab team shows how modern technologies can enrich everyday care and have a positive impact on the lives of older people in a care home.
How modern technologies can enrich everyday care and have a positive impact on the lives of older people was demonstrated on April 7 at the ORKS Görlitz day care center. Employees from the AAL (Ambient Assisted Living) laboratory presented various assistance technologies that have been specially developed for use in the care sector.
The focus of interest was an interactive robot cat that creates emotional closeness through realistic movements, a calming purr and soft fur. It was developed especially for people with dementia and was immediately well received by the day care guests. Many intuitively took the animal in their arms, stroked it and were visibly touched. The cat stimulated conversations, awakened memories and conveyed a feeling of security.
Another highlight was the use of VR glasses, with which the senior citizens were able to experience a virtual 360-degree city tour of Görlitz. Without leaving the house, they were able to visit familiar places, discover sights and explore their city in a completely new way. Reactions ranged from amazement to joyful recognition - some of the participants enthusiastically reported old memories that were brought back to life by the virtual experience.
The nursing staff were also impressed. The professionals were able to try out the presented technologies for themselves and talk to the experts from the AAL Lab. Many were positive about the new impulses and the concrete application possibilities in everyday working life. The solutions presented were perceived as a helpful addition to human care, particularly when dealing with people suffering from dementia.
These technologies open up completely new possibilities in day-to-day care. They bring joy, promote communication and create little moments of happiness - for our day care guests and for the day care team. as well as for us in the team. The cat in particular was immediately taken to heart. Some guests didn't want to let her go at all.
”The event offered an exciting outlook on the potential of technical innovations in care. It made it clear that technology is not intended as a replacement, but as a useful support - to create closeness, promote independence and relieve the burden on care staff. The collaboration between ORKS Görlitz and the AAL Lab is set to continue in the future, with the aim of making everyday care more humane, lively and future-oriented.
