{"id":149140,"date":"2025-09-26T09:30:39","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T13:30:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/149140///news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/149140//www.ucf.edu/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/149140//news/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/149140//?p=149140"},"modified":"2025-09-25T12:39:00","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T16:39:00","slug":"social-work-researchers-to-study-how-animal-robots-can-help-older-adults","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/149140///news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/149140//www.ucf.edu/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/149140//news/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/149140//social-work-researchers-to-study-how-animal-robots-can-help-older-adults/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/149140//","title":{"rendered":"Social Work Researchers to Study How Animal Robots Can Help Older Adults/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/149140/u202f"},"content":{"rendered":"

Can a cuddly robot modeled after a baby harp seal help ease anxiety, stress and loneliness in older adults with dementia? Associate Professor Susanny Beltran and Professor Kim Gryglewicz, co-directors of the School of Social Work/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/149140/u2019s Center for Behavioral Health Research and Training, have been awarded seed funding from the College of Health Professions and Sciences (CHPS) to find out./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/149140/n

The funding will be used in a study to advance the evidence base for non-pharmacological interventions in memory care settings, with the goal of finding effective ways to support mental health and wellness in older adults with mild to moderate cognitive impairment./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/149140/n

Robots for Connection/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/149140/n

Beltran and Gryglewicz are evaluating the preliminary effectiveness and feasibility of the PARO therapeutic robot /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/149140/u2014 in this case, a soft, fluffy baby harp seal /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/149140/u2014 to improve mood, behavior and social interactions. While studies have shown that non-pharmacological interventions, like pet therapy, have positive effects, access to animals in healthcare settings is limited due to allergies, hygiene and cost. Therapeutic robots could replicate the benefits of pet therapy without those limitations./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/149140/n