McLean Nursing Home Using Robotic Seal To Comfort Residents

Dementia Patients Benefit from Interaction with Robotic Animals

August 10, 2010

· Everybody at McLean nursing home in Simsbury seems to love its newest resident.

Sea Sea, a white-furred robotic baby harp seal, was introduced to the residents and staff at McLean, a state-of-the-art care facility in Simsbury, this summer.

The seal, the first of its kind in Connecticut, is used primarily to calm patients with dementia in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. There are only 40 in the country today, according to Freddi Hoffmann, vice president of marketing at McLean.

Holding Sea Sea in your arms, it's easy to forget she isn't real. The seal purrs and paddles its flippers when petted and opens its eyes and moves its head toward you when you talk. It has significant weight to it and when held against your chest you can feel it vibrate, simulating a heartbeat

"It's comforting and calming," said Kathy Cookson, director of therapeutic recreation at McLean. "You can feel the vibrations and movement."

'Oh, This Is So Nice'

"I love it, I love it, I love it," said Polly, a 99-year-old resident of McLean who suffers from dementia. Polly held Sea Sea against her chest, calmly stroking the robotic seal while it cooed appreciatively.

Polly wasn't shy about sharing her new friend with others and remarked how wonderful it would be if she could bring Sea Sea to church with her. When the seal stopped responding due to a lack of stimulation, Polly shushed those nearby. "She's sleeping," Polly said.

"The staff and the people here are fascinated by the responses of the patients," Cookson said. "It doesn't replace live animal therapy, but it gives us more flexibility."

Connie, another McLean resident, gasped in amazement and joy when Sea Sea cooed and blinked at her. "Oh my goodness," she said. "Oh, this is so nice." Laughing and smiling, Connie talked to the robotic seal. "And what do you have to say about that?" Connie asked. "Meaakk," Sea Sea responded.

Cookson said one of the most dramatic effects of Sea Sea's therapy was seen in Eileen, a non-verbal patient who often doesn't respond to verbal stimulation or acknowledge those around her.

"She was lying in bed for about half an hour talking to her and stroking Sea Sea," Cookson said. "Eileen seemed calmed by the noise Sea Sea was making, she sat there laughing and talking with her the entire time."

Sea Sea's Circuitry

It's when Sea Sea's battery needs recharging and she "falls asleep" that the casual observer is reminded that the intelligence is artificial.

It is through two microprocessors underneath her fur that Sea Sea is able to interpret and react to her environment. Cookson said that over time Sea Sea will learn to respond to her name and other phrases.

Each robot is handmade and unique, but the technology doesn't come cheap. The seals can cost $6,000 or more each and there are a few limitations.

The battery on Sea Sea lasts only one-and-a-half to two hours, and due to the fragile nature of the doll, patients can't be left alone with Sea Sea for fear that they may harm her. But despite some drawbacks, the technology has worked for McLean so far.

The Trip To McLean

Using animals to calm patients in a nursing-home setting is not a new idea. But only recently have advances in technology made it possible to replace living animals with their robotic counterparts.

Akiteru Tsuji, president of Para Robots USA, the Japanese-based manufacturer of Sea Sea, originally designed a robotic dog for therapeutic use. But due to the familiarity most patients had with dogs, they were easily able to tell the difference between canine and computer. The company finally settled upon a harp seal.

McLean first learned about Sea Sea earlier this year at a conference in Chicago. Several months later, Tsuji made a stop at McLean to introduce Sea Sea to the staff.

While reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, administrators at McLean are taking care before they get too carried away with the cute and cuddly baby seal.

Cookson said that staff are taking notes about how patients respond to Sea Sea and that, in the future, the seal will be available to patients 24 hours a day.

McLean was able to purchase Sea Sea through funds from the Sorenson Technology Center. Cookson said that McLean already is looking to purchase more of the robotic seals.

"Right now we have to share Sea Sea and patients can't bring her back to their room," Cookson said. "In the future we hope to be able to use her with all our patients."