Barbara Klein

• Prof. Dr.
• Spokeswoman of the Research Centre FUTURE AGING at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences

Aims and objectives: The study's aim was two-fold: (1) to explore the experiences and perceptions of industry, academic, and research professionals concerning technologies used within aged care; and (2) to identify needs-led priorities for the future development and application of technologies within aged care. Background: Global population agei...

Zusammenfassung Bedingt durch den eklatanten Personalmangel und den Druck, kosteneffizient arbeiten zu müssen, stehen Krankenhäuser vor großen Herausforderungen. Deshalb gerät Unterstützung durch mehr Automatisierung, wie sie in anderen Branchen bereits gang und gäbe ist, auch im Gesundheitssektor verstärkt in den Fokus. Während Serviceroboter im O...

Assistive robots have the potential to support older people and people with disabilities in various tasks so that they can live more independently. One of the research challenges is the appearance of assistive robots so that they are accepted by prospective users and encourage interaction. This scoping review aims to identify studies that report pr...

Assistive robotic arms, e.g., the Kinova JACO, aim to assist people with upper-body disabilities in everyday tasks and thus increase their autonomy (Brose et al. 2010; Beaudoin et al.2019). A long-term survey with seven JACO users showed that they were satisfied with the technology and that JACO had a positive psychosocial impact. Still, the users...

Assistive robotic arms, e.g., the Kinova JACO, aim to assist people with upper-body disabilities in everyday tasks and thus increase their autonomy (Brose 2010; Beaudoin 2018}. A long-term survey with seven JACO users showed that they were satisfied with the technology and that JACO had a positive psychosocial impact. Still, the users had some diff...

In this contribution, the participatory design process for a service robot to assist people in old age or with disabilities is presented. In order to provide the platform with an attractive and accepted embodiment, a three-stage approach with potential users is envisaged. This article reports the results of phase 1. Three models with different head...

The phenomenon of missing children is complex, further complicated by the specific circumstances of missing unaccompanied migrant minors. Owing to the (often forced) migration, these children have moved through different countries with diverse legislation and work practices. The international nature of these cases leads to confusion about the respo...

This Article introduces two research projects towards assistive robotic arms for people with severe body impairments. Both projects aim to develop new control and interaction designs to promote accessibility and a better performance for people with functional losses in all four extremities, e.g. due to quadriplegic or multiple sclerosis. The projec...

Being able to live independently and self-determined in one’s own home is a crucial factor or human dignity and preservation of self-worth. For people with severe physical impairments who cannot use their limbs for every day tasks, living in their own home is only possible with assistance from others. The inability to move arms and hands makes it h...

The possibilities of digital technologies for people with disabilities or the older population are wide-ranging, but in order for all people to be able to participate in an increasingly „digital world“, it is important to qualify professionals and organizations so that they are able to support, advise and help with potential risks. The article pres...

Funktionsverluste und chronische Erkrankungen schränken den Alltag oft ein. Fachkräfte im Gesundheitswesen und Angehörige stehen oft vor der frage, wie sie unterstützen können. Dieses Buch gibt einen Überblick über die Möglichkeiten von Hilfsmitteln, Assistiven Technologien und Robotik für ein besseres Sehen, Hören, der Mobilität und der Kommunikat...

Expertise zum Achten Altersbericht der Bundesregierung zu den Möglichkeiten und Herausforderungen der Implementierung von Technologien im Alltag älterer Menschen

Zusammenfassung Die Ausübung der Aktivitäten des täglichen Lebens (ADL, auch Basisaktivitäten) ist bei Funktionseinschränkungen und -verlusten, die mit dem Altern, mit Krankheiten oder Behinderung einhergehen, eingeschränkt bzw. nicht mehr möglich. Dafür gibt es heute schon eine Reihe von Hilfsmitteln und sogar robotische Produkte. Ziel dieses Beit...

In this paper we present a prototype integrated robotic system, the I-Support bathing robot, that aims at supporting new aspects of assisted daily-living activities on a real-life scenario. The paper focuses on describing and evaluating key novel technological features of the system, with the emphasis on cognitive human–robot interaction modules an...

Being able to live independently and self-determined in once own home is a crucial factor for social participation. For people with severe physical impairments, such as tetraplegia, who cannot use their hands to manipulate materials or operate devices, life in their own home is only possible with assistance from others. The inability to operate but...

Background Robot acceptance by older adults has been shown to vary widely, hence the question arises how to foster robot acceptance in this target group. Most older adults have little experience with and knowledge about robots. Therefore, general experience acquired during a lifetime in robot-related domains and the provision of robot-specific expe...

Selbstständig und selbstbestimmt essen und trinken zu können gehört zu den Grundbedürfnissen des Menschen und wird den Aktivitäten des täglichen Lebens (ATLs) zugeordnet. Körperliche Beeinträchtigungen, die mit Funktionsverlusten in Armen, Händen und ggf. der Beweglichkeit des Oberkörpers einhergehen, schränken die selbstständige Nahrungszufuhr er...

The book gives an overview of robotics in the healthcare sector; i.e. robots in rehabilitation, robots supporting staff in nursing care and hospitals and robots supporting people living at home. What political visions with respect to robots play a role in Japan, Korea and Germany. Based on 27 interviews with experts in the healthcare sector the pot...

Background Being able to maintain personal hygiene plays a crucial role for independent living in old age or when suffering from disabilities. Within the European project ICT Supported Bath Robots (I‑SUPPORT) an intelligent robotic shower system is being developed, which enables patients to shower independently at home or in institutionalized setti...

Background: It has been questioned by researchers in robotics as well in the general public to what extent companion-type robots can support the elderly with the fulfillment of their psychological and social needs. Although these robots have already been used in care settings in Germany, research has referred little to this practical experience in...

Purpose To explore the experience of older people and their sense of developing wellbeing, including consideration of the strategies they employ to respond to perceived risk. Design/methodology/approach An Appreciative Enquiry study was used, which collected data with 58 participants in focus group and individual interviews. Interviews focused o...

Generalized Net model of processes, related to tracking the changes in health status (diabetes) of adult patients has been presented. The contemporary state of the art of the telecommunications and navigation technologies allows this model to be extended to the case of active and mobile patient. This requires the inclusion of patient’s current loca...

This study aims at investigating the relevance of psychosocial functioning for the acceptance of social robots by elder people in the context of everyday functioning. It was assumed that the level of psychosocial functioning either hinders or promotes robot acceptance, depending on the fit between elder people’s level of everyday functioning and th...

The booming increase of the senior population has become a social phenomenon and a challenge to our societies, and technological advances have undoubtedly contributed to improve the lives of elderly citizens in numerous aspects. In current debates on technology, however, the »human factor« is often largely ignored. The ageing individual is rather s...

Haustiere können zum Wohlbefinden von pflegebedürftigen Menschen beitragen. Eine Analyse empirischer Studien zeigt, dass der Einsatz von Haustieren als psychosoziale Intervention in Form von tiergestützter Therapie oder als tiergestützte Aktivität das emotionale Wohlbefindens erhöhen kann. Mit der zunehmenden Technisierung gibt es heute künstliche...

Emotional robots become increasingly important in future health care scenarios in an aging world. The field, however, still lacks both clear theoretical and methodological underpinnings. The present chapter therefore aims to provide an integrative perspective on current research and theories in emotional robotics. Using the example of the seal robo...

Technical aids and assistive technologies are not widespread due to a variety of factors. Acceptance is low because often the design is judged as stigmatizing, not fashionable enough or does not fit into individual, culturally shaped life styles. In the HORIZON 2020 I-Support project design thinking is utilized in order to analyze cultural impact f...

Unter dem Begriff Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) bzw. altersgerechte Assistenzsysteme wurden in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten viele sensorbasierte Produkte rund um den Hausnotruf entwickelt, die dazu beitragen sollen, ein selbstbestimmtes Leben im Alter zu führen und einen positiven Beitrag zur Bewältigung des soziodemografischen Wandels zu leisten. D...

Stationäre Altenhilfe wird – immer noch – häufig mit „totalen Institutionen“ assoziiert. Befragungen zeigen, dass viele Menschen nicht in stationären Einrichtungen leben möchten. Doch wie sieht die Realität aus? Sind Pflegeeinrichtungen tatsächlich totale Institutionen? Dieser Beitrag setzt sich mit den strukturellen Voraussetzungen in der station...

Die UN-Behindertenrechtskonvention will mit ihrer Umsetzung Inklusion von Menschen mit Behinderungen und damit die Menschenrechte für Menschen mit Behinderungen erreichen. Ihnen steht – wie allen nicht behinderten Menschen – das Recht auf Gleichbehandlung, Teilhabe und Selbstbestimmung zu. Um dieses zu ermöglichen, muss auch die Lebensumgebung so g...

As societies age overall, there will necessarily be a significant increase of those over 80 as well as an increase in people with dementia. We know that loneliness increases with old age, and those living with dementia are particularly at risk of social isolation. Also in advanced old age opportunities for sensory stimulation and engagement in plea...

Die Geschichte des Sekretariates zeigt, daß Aufgabenfelder, organisatorische Gestaltung, Technikeinsatz und Qualifikationsanforderungen in einer starken Wechselbeziehung stehen. Folgende Abbildung stellt diese chronologisch dar.

In Zeiten, in denen sich Zusammenhänge und Strukturen nicht immer eindeutig nachzeichnen lassen, da sie einem stetigen Wandel und Wechsel unterliegen, kommen Leitbildern der Unternehmensführung, der Unternehmenssegmentierung, dem Unternehmensaufbau — kurz der Unternehmensorganisation — eine unabweisbare Bedeutung zu. Zu allen Zeiten entwickelten si...

The term "Service robotics" describes semi- or fully autonomous technical systems able to perform services useful to the well-being of humans. Service robots have the potential to support and disburden both persons in need of care as well as nursing care staff. In addition, they can be used in prevention and rehabilitation in order to reduce or avo...

Unter dem Begriff „Servicerobotik“ werden technische Systeme verstanden, die den Menschen teil- oder vollautomatisch bei der Verrichtung von Arbeiten und Dienstleistungen unterstützen. Serviceroboter bieten das Potenzial, sowohl hilfsbedürftige als auch pflegende Personen zu unterstützen und zu entlasten. Auch können sie zu Präventions- und Rehabil...

Welchen Beitrag können Roboter schon heute in der Altenhilfe leisten? Was versteht man unter emotionaler und sozialer Robotik? Der Beitrag von Frau Prof. Dr. Barbara Klein, Professorin am Fachbereich Soziale Arbeit und Gesundheit an der Fachhochschule Frankfurt am Main, gibt einen Überblick über die aktuellen technischen Entwicklungen in der Roboti...

Deployment of telecare is being driven by policy in different European contexts, however little is known about the utilization of telecare following installation. This study provides an analysis of contact data within one telecare call centre in North East England. Characteristics of service users that influence use is presented. 50.6% of contact e...

Although telecare is a well-known concept in the UK, the situation in Germany is different. The German LOEWE project “Field test on age appropriate sensor based assistance in real estate” enables exploration of the decision process of using the technology by the service user. This gives a valuable insight to supporting and inhibiting factors in pro...

As societies age overall, there will necessarily be a significant increase of those over 80 as well as an increase in people with dementia. We know that loneliness increases with old age, and those living with dementia are particularly at risk of social isolation. Also in advanced old age opportunities for sensory stimulation and engagement in plea...

This pilot study aimed to compare the effect of companion robots (PARO) to participation in an interactive reading group on emotions in people living with moderate to severe dementia in a residential care setting. A randomized crossover design, with PARO and reading control groups, was used. Eighteen residents with mid- to late-stage dementia from...

The present issue of GeroPsych gives an overview of ongoing research and discussions on emotional and social robotics. Though not exhaustive, these papers are intended to foster the ongoing discussion and to encourage further studies that will provide additional information on existing blind spots in our knowledge of emotional and social robots. Ro...

Robot-therapy with emotional robots is a new approach for people with cognitive impairments. This article looks at explorative findings of the therapeutic seal PARO in a practice network in England and findings of PARO and the toy dinosaur PLEO in teaching research projects in Germany. The findings in the UK and Germany have comparable outcomes on...