Brian 2.1: A socially assistive robot for the elderly and cognitively impaired

As the world's elderly population continues to grow, so does the number of individuals diagnosed with cognitive impairments. It is estimated that 115 million people will have age-related memory loss by 2050 [1]. The number of older adults who have difficulties performing self-care and independent-living activities increases significantly with the prevalence of cognitive impairment. This is especially true for the population over 70 years of age [2]. Cognitive impairment, as a result of dementia, severely affects a person's ability to independently initiate and perform daily activities, as cognitive abilities can be diminished [3]. If a person is incapable of performing these activities, continuous assistance from others is necessary. In 2010, the total worldwide cost of dementia (including medical, social, and informal care costs) was estimated to be US$604 billion [1].

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