These adorable, animatronic pets are helping seniors combat loneliness

Seniors snuggle with robotic pets to beat loneliness

Video from the New York State Office for the Aging shows older adults' reactions to getting a new pet -- one they don't have to feed or walk.

Tens of thousands of older adults in New York are getting all the benefits of a furry friend – without the responsibility – thanks to a program that gives animatronic pets to seniors.

The idea for the Animatronic Pet Initiative at the New York State Office for the Aging came when NYSOFA Director Greg Olsen’s daughter purchased an animatronic pet. Robotic pets are plush and lifelike, designed to make realistic sounds and motions, NYSOFA says.

"He was immediately intrigued about the possible benefits of this product for older adults who are isolated," Roger Noyes, NYSOFA’s director of public information, explained.

The Animatronic Pet Program in New York has given tens of thousands of robotic pets to older adults experiencing loneliness (New York State Office for the Aging)

Olsen began researching the product and then had discussions with its maker, Ageless Innovation, about getting robotic pets into the hands of isolated older adults.

Since launching the program in 2018, the NYSOFA has partnered with counties to give out more than 31,000 robotic pets to older adults experiencing loneliness. According to the state agency, 75% of older adults who received a robotic pet reported a reduction or a significant reduction in loneliness – and a 75% decrease in pain.

Noyes said robotic pets are one of several programs the agency has to combat loneliness in older populations.

The Animatronic Pet Program in New York has given tens of thousands of robotic pets to older adults experiencing loneliness (New York State Office for the Aging)

"Social isolation is a public health crisis – an epidemic, as the U.S. Surgeon General rightly named it," Noyes said.

In an advisory, the U.S. Surgeon General laid out the staggering health effects of social isolation, including a 29% increased risk of heart disease, 32% increased risk of stroke and a 50% increased risk of developing dementia for older adults.

Isolation also increases risk of premature death by more than 60%. The health impacts of social isolation are the equivalent of smoking almost a pack of cigarettes per day, the report warns.

The Animatronic Pet Program in New York has given tens of thousands of robotic pets to older adults experiencing loneliness (New York State Office for the Aging)

As part of the robotic pet pilot, the NYSOFA collected self-reported data at various times after the seniors got their pets. Researchers observed trends at pre-adoption, three months, six months and 12 months of receiving a pet. The agency wanted to learn more about feelings of isolation in seniors, as well as other factors like feelings of pain, "given the well-documented research on how mental health can influence physical health and well-being."

"The response has been overwhelming and incredibly moving," Noyes said. "We hear testimonials regularly from recipients who have given names to their pets, telling us they feel more connected, calmer, more engaged. It’s truly transformational."