France Tests AI and Robots for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care

Social Robots and Cognitive Trials at Broca Hospital

In the hospital trials, a robot named NAO interacts with patients by asking questions and giving small tasks to encourage conversation. During one session, the robot asks participants to complete well-known proverbs. I will give you the beginning of a proverb, and you try to tell me the end. Another device named Paro functions as a therapeutic comfort tool. Built in the shape of a seal and equipped with sensors, the plastic figure responds to the movements and sounds of patients. A third robot, Miroki, is designed to engage individuals in conversation. Reactions to the technology vary among participants. Lea Vecchioni, a psychologist and research engineer at the Broca Living Lab, notes that some patients find it remarkable to encounter devices in person that they previously only saw on television, while others clearly reject the technology. Researchers are evaluating whether the machines can help engage patients in various forms of therapy. The robot can act as a mediator that facilitates the entry into therapy sessions. Maribel Pino, a cognitive psychologist and head of research at the Broca Living Lab, states that potential application fields include cognitive stimulation, speech therapy, physical therapy, and psychomotor rehabilitation.

Personalized AI Voices in Nursing Homes

In southern France, a separate experiment applies artificial intelligence inside a nursing home. At La Septfontoise in the Tarn-et-Garonne department, staff are testing a system called Livana, an AI designed to assist residents when they become restless through personalized telephone conversations. Before the trial began, staff gathered biographical details from residents, including interests and major life events, with the consent of their families. This information is integrated into the system’s voice and conversation content. The voice can contain elements that calm the resident, tailored to their interests and life story. Psychologist Élodie Jammes explains that the system is tested as a non-pharmacological option for individuals with Alzheimer’s or other neurodegenerative conditions. Ghislaine Verines, the head of the facility, views the technology as supplementary support for both residents and the care team, aiming to improve resident well-being while assisting staff.

Limits of Technology in Care

While studies continue and specialists explore new methods to support people with cognitive impairments, researchers emphasize strict boundaries for the technology. Pino asserts that robotics should not be viewed as a replacement tool. They are still tools, however sophisticated their conversational skills or presence may become. They will never replace the essential human relationships that people need. The French projects demonstrate how artificial intelligence and robotics are being evaluated in dementia care to encourage conversation, provide therapy, or offer individual support, while keeping human contact at the center of care.