IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine - March 2014 - 90

(a)

(b)

Figure 2. (a) The author and her grandmother talking while watching photos on the screen. (b) The coimagination method being
applied on a group of older individuals in a nursing home.

new to us. The photos were black and information input, processing, memo- versation data of various older adults to
white, but she mentioned the color of cer- rizing, and output processes, serves as a investigate effective intervention.
tain objects.
cognitive task that prevents cognitive We have been collaborating with and
M: Tell me about this picture.
decline and dementia caused by disuse providing services for nursing homes,
G: This is a picture taken at the in older adults. In conversations, turn hospitals, and other nonprofit organizaphoto studio in the department taking occurs frequently, which requires tions [Figure 2(b)].
store in Tokyo.
divided attention as well as discourse
Recently, we got to know the older
M: You look so nice.
skill. Therefore, we developed a conver- sisters, whose average age is 94, who
G: This clothing was tailored at the sation support method called coimagi- enjoy healthy longevity by having enersame department store. It was in nation, using photos brought by the par- getic group conversations on a daily
stripe patterns of orange and silver. ticipants and giving equal turns to all basis. Their mother was one of the
The photos triggered something, and participants to listen, ask questions, and famous twins who lived for 108 years
she was able to recall. My comments and give comments and answers.
old. We found that their group converreactions also helped her talk about
We applied the method to older sations have the characteristics of cogthem. The cognitive systems of demen- adults in various conditions: from older nitive training and that they are good
tia patients operate by assistance. It is adults with dementia to those who role models for participants. The
known that visual aids and semantic and enjoy healthy longevity. We founded a following is a typical script in which
phonological priming help when com- research institute collaborating with they discuss who will die first. The sismunicating with older adults both older adults, local governments, and ters are referred to as A98, B94, C91,
healthy and suffering with dementia. industries for collecting large-scale con- D89, from older to younger. The numThe ideal activities for interbers are their ages. Their
vention use simultaneously
positive mindsets allow
as many of the individual's
them to talk about their
resources as possible to
own deaths with bursts of
maintain their cognitive
laughter.
functions for better quality
B94: When I think about
of life. Ideally, those activities
us, I would like to
are either everyday activities
be the first to go.
that serve as training or
C91: No way.
those that stimulate individB94: I want to be the
uals' cognitive or social abilifirst.
ties. Our hypothesis, which
D89: It goes in order of
is based on cognitive mechaage.
nism and observation, is
A98: Oh, no, no, then
that an interactive group
I'm first.
conversation, including Figure 3. The robot with the older sisters making them laugh.
All: Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
90

IEEE ROBOTICS & AUTOMATION MAGAZINE

MARCH 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine - March 2014