Incredible Companion Gadgets for Seniors to Fight Isolation

Like many others, my family has been social distancing for the past several months. The COVID-19 crisis has forced many of us into a period of physical distancing. And loneliness – especially among older adults – has become a serious issue (even more than it already was).

In fact, according to the National Poll on Healthy Aging from the University of Michigan about loneliness among older adults before and during the COVID-19 pandemic 56% of people over the age of 50 said they sometimes or often felt isolated from others double the 27% who felt isolated from others in a similar poll in 2018.

Leading a secluded life can lead to a lack of desire to keep your home clean, prepare proper meals, and take care of yourself. So senior citizens may have difficulty keeping themselves busy and active, which could lead to depression or the inability to socialize.

Companionships can encourage many seniors to participate in daily activities. This is particularly true if they are retired and live alone.

We made a short list of cool companion gadgets seniors can easily buy today and another short list with incredible robots also available for purchase in their own website. Check them out!

Companion Gadgets for Seniors to Fight Isolation Available on the Market

1. All-new Echo Dot (4th Gen, 2020 release) Smart speaker with Alexa

When we first think about gadgets that can help fighting isolation, smart speaker is the obvious thing everyone thinks about. We actually wrote an entire post about it named “How Smart Speaking Technology can Fight Isolation and Loneliness in Seniors” (very self-explanatory title, we know). But the thing is, smart speaking technology can be really efficient.

Take the Echo Dot, for instance. With a whole new look and new sound, this item delivers clear highs, dynamic mids, and deep bass for rich, detailed sound that automatically adapts to any room.

With the Echo Dot, not only you can stream songs from different platforms you might use, but you can also listen to radio stations, podcasts, and Audible audiobooks. To make the sound even more powerful, you can synchronize sounds across other Echo devices in different rooms. By filling your home with sound, it will never feel empty and silent (unless you want to) and this is already halfway to not feel too lonely.

But the Echo Dot can be a great companion also because seniors can ask Alexa not only to play music, but also to answer questions, play the news, check the weather, set alarms (medication reminders, for instance), control compatible smart home devices, and much more. You can also easily connect with others, by calling almost anyone hands-free.

Find more details on Amazon.

2. Sonos Move Smart Speaker with Alexa

Just like the Echo Dot, but a little more “powerful”, the Sonos Move is a smart speaker compatible with Alexa that can also be connected with Sonos system devices in your home.

Enjoy surprisingly rich bass, a wide soundstage, and automatic Trueplay tuning, which continually adapts the sound for where you are and what you’re listening to.

You can also use the Sonos Move to play music, check news, set alarms, get your questions answered, and more,

A completely hands-free battery that lasts. With this device, you can enjoy up to 11 hours of continuous play time and deep, powerful sound. Easily recharge Move on the included base, or a compatible USB-C charger.

The device is very resistant and can be used both inside and outside your home. Move stands up to humidity, rain, snow, dust, salt spray, UV rays, and extreme heat and cold. And it’s extremelly durable as well, don’t worry about accidental drops or bumps. Move’s components are protected by a hard-wearing, shock-resistant case. Brilliant sound.

Find more details on Amazon.

3. Vector Robot by Anki

Vector Robot is a companion especially made to hang out with seniors and them help out. Powered by ai and advanced robotics, he’s alive with personality and engaged by sight, sound, and touch. The Vector Robot by Anki can: Answer questions, take photos, time dinner, show the weather, and much more.

Vector can independently navigate and self-charge. He also recognizes people and avoids obstacles. And the device is an updating platform, Cloud connected via Wi-Fi so this means that he’s always learning and updating with new skills and features. How cool is this?

Find more details on Amazon.

4. JOY FOR ALL Ageless Innovation Companion Pets Golden Pup Lifelike & Realistic

If you love dogs but can’t have one (or don’t want the responability of having one), then you can get the Joy For All Golden Pup.

This golden pup was specifically designed to bring comfort, companionship, and fun to seniors. It has puppy-like movements and sounds and acts just like a real puppy. Besides, the revolutionary bark back technology allows the puppy to actually respond to your voice.

It’s an award winning: Joy For All companion pets won the caregiver friendly award from today’s caregiver.

Find more details on Amazon.

5. JOY FOR ALL Orange Tabby Cat Interactive Companion Pets Realistic & Lifelike

Similar to the Joy For All Golden Pup, the Joy For All Tabby Cat was designed to bring comfort, companionship and fun to seniors.

The Joy For All Tabby Cat features a revolutionary vibrapurr technology that gives the cat an authentic purr that sounds and feels just like real purring. A real cat would, this companion pet cat is able to open and close its eyes, lift its Paw, open its mouth and move its head and body. Plus, the companion pet cat also has synthetic, soft, brushable fur inspired by real feline breeds.

By using the built-in sensors, this companion pet cat responds to motion and touch such as petting and hugging, much like the real cats you know and love, but doesn’t require any special care or feeding.

The ease of care and convenience paired with the state of the art technology makes for the best possible interactive experience for older adults, their caregivers, or simply just a person that could use some extra company.

Award winning: Joy For All companion pets won the caregiver friendly award from today’s caregiver two years in 2016 and 2017.

Find more details on Amazon.

New Technology Incredible Companion Robots for Seniors to Fight Isolation

6. Buddy the Emotional Robot

Buddy is an endearing emotional robot that wins the heart of the whole family, including older adults.

This 60cm-high robot has a range of emotions that he will express naturally throughout the day based on his interactions with family members. He will be happy to give you a warm welcome when you come home, he will sometimes be grumpy if you have not paid attention to him, or sometimes without any particular reason, just because that morning, he is not in a good mood.

Buddy is a playmate (he allows people to learn new things through play while having fun). He is your personal assistant (he reminds you of important tasks and events on your agenda). Besides, Buddy keeps people close (he allows you to communicate with your loved ones, being there with them for moments that count). And as if it wasn’t already enough, Buddy watches your house (he patrols your home while you are away and alerts you when detecting any unusual situation).

Find more details on Buddy’s official website.

7. Care-O-bot 4

Care-O-bot is the product vision of a mobile robot assistant to actively support humans in domestic environments.

Based on its modular system design, the fields of application for Care-O-bot 4 are wide-ranging. The robot can be equipped with one, two or no arms at all. The patented spherical joints on the robot’s neck and hips are optional. If the intended purpose is to serve drinks, one hand can be replaced by a tray, or the mobile base platform can be used on its own as a serving trolley. Individual robot platforms can be configured for a wide range of applications: a mobile information center in museums, DIY stores and airports, for collection and delivery services in homes and offices, for security applications or as museum robots at attractions –Care-O-bot 4 is a safe and handy human helper at all times.

Previous investigations have shown that social ways of interaction are essential for the acceptance of interactive service robots. Using the display integrated in its head and based on the current situation, Care-O-bot 4 is able to display different atmospheres, he can be courteous, friendly, and affable as a gentleman.

Find more details on Care-O-bot 4 official website.

8. ElliQ

Unlike anything they’ve experienced before, ElliQ is a friendly, intelligent, inquisitive presence in older adults’ daily lives. ElliQ can be there for them, in their corner, offering tips and advice, responding to questions, surprising them with suggestions.

By making it easy to stay connected and engaged, ElliQ helps even the least tech-savvy older adults stay immersed in the world around them, empowering their independence. A dedicated sidekick on their journey through this remarkable part of life.

ElliQ makes staying independent and engaged at home a breeze. From listening to the news or playing a cognitive game, to performing physical activity together, happier, healthier aging in place becomes simpler than ever.

Using real-time sensory data, ElliQ understands situational context, to proactively engage with users over the course of the day at the ideal moment, offering personalized suggestions for activities or just enlightening their day with moments of conversation such as morning greetings and asking them how they feel.

Find more details on ElliQ official website.

9. IPal

Another interesting companion robot is the IPal. He can greet people, provide information and directions, answer questions, and entertain people. 

Find more details on IPal official website.

10. Zora Bots

With a whole line of robots, it’s difficult to choose the best one to fit your needs. And they all seem amazing. So you can choose between some main needs you may have: Healthcare, Hospitality, Retail, Education, Exhibits, Eldercare, and Home. And choose which model is the best for you.

Find more details on Zora Bots official website.

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