Caregiver robot helps New Hampshire couple age at home amid home care aide shortage

Summary

An AP article about Brenda and Brian Marquis, an ailing couple in New Hampshire who rely on a caregiver robot named Robbie to help with daily tasks like exercise reminders and medication alerts. The robot, developed by the University of New Hampshire's Assistive Technologies Lab, addresses the couple's needs after their service dog passed away and Brian suffered a traumatic brain injury. The article explores the growing appeal of assistive robotics as the U.S. faces a deepening shortage of home care aides, while also noting limitations — Robbie cannot provide physical assistance like lifting or bathing. It highlights the broader trend of technology filling gaps in elder care as the population ages.