Robotic pets can provide needed company while self-isolating during the pandemic

• By Jim Miller, Special to the Star-Advertiser

Dear Savvy Senior,

I recently read an article about robotic pets being a great substitute for pet-loving seniors who can’t have or take care of a pet any longer. What do you think of this? My mother, who has some dementia, is living in an assisted- living facility that doesn’t allow pets. And because of COVID, we haven’t been allowed inside the facility to visit her since March. I’ve been thinking about getting her a robot pet to help cheer her up but would like to know whether they are worth buying and, if so, where can I go to find one. — Locked Out

Dear Locked Out,

There have actually been several studies on this topic that have shown that robotic pets — which are lifelike interactive pets — can have a positive impact on many lonely, socially isolated seniors, especially those who have dementia. This is particularly important now as the pandemic has caused millions of high-risk, vulnerable seniors to isolate as a means to protect themselves from the coronavirus. Here’s what you should know.

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