Consider different sources of funding to support the implementation of pet robots for people with dementia within long-term care facilities
Guidance
The cost of pet robots can prohibit their uptake in long-term care facilities for dementia care. There may also be additional costs involved in implementing pet robots, such as manpower and time related costs. Different funding sources need to be considered to acquire sufficient funding to support the implementation effort.
Explanation and examples
In a qualitative study involving 22 care providers from nursing homes, the cost of purchasing pet robots have been reported as a concern. Some care providers reported the use of charity funds to support the purchase of pet robots. In a modified Delphi study, experts (care professionals, organisational leaders and researchers) established that it is necessary to creatively seek and acquire funding to support the implementation of pet robots in long-term care facilities. Examples of potential funding sources may include:
- Existing funding resources
- Raising private funds (such as donations or charity)
- Shifting or (re)prioritising the use of funds within the organisation based on their impact on people with dementia
The funds may be used to support different aspects of implementation. Examples include:
- Fund the introduction and adoption of pet robots
- Support other time limited actions needed for initial implementation, such as purchasing cleaning materials
- Training (e.g. developing educational materials)
Themes
Care homes Implementation research Implementation strategies Long-term care Nursing home Older adults Pet robots Social robots
Target groups
Dementia care organisations (nursing homes & day care centres) Dementia researchers Healthcare professionalsType of evidence
Wei Qi Koh (DISTINCT ESR12)
Collaborator: Viktoria Hoel (DISTINCT ESR9)
Qualitative study, modified Delphi study
References
Koh, W.Q., Toomey, E., Flynn, A. & Casey, D. (2022). Determinants of implementing of pet robots in nursing homes for dementia care. BMC Geriatrics, 22(1), 457, 1-12. doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-03150-z
Koh, W. Q., Casey, D., Hoel, V., & Toomey, E. (2022). Strategies for implementing pet robots in care homes and nursing homes for residents with dementia: protocol for a modified Delphi study. Implementation Science Communications, 3(1), 58, 1-10. doi.org/10.1186/s43058-022-00308-z
Koh, W. Q., Hoel, V., Casey, D., & Toomey, E. (2022). Strategies to Implement Pet Robots in Long-Term Care Facilities for Dementia Care: A Modified Delphi Study. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2022.09.010
Useful links
https://implementationsciencecomms.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s43058-022-00308-z
https://bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12877-022-03150-z
https://www.jamda.com/article/S1525-8610(22)00746-0/fulltext
As training manager of INDUCT, I am responsible for the overall coordination and organization of the individual and network-wide training of our 15 ESRs. My main task is the organization of five INDUCT Summer and Winter Schools. Together with the local and management team, we identify needs and interests among the ESRs, compose a varied program for the week including training sessions, project meetings and social and networking events, invite academic and non-academic expert speakers, organize practical matters, and afterwards we evaluate the event, write a report, and try to incorporate all suggestions in our future training events.