Social Robots in Elderly Care: A Scoping Review of Caregiver Perspectives

This scoping review explores caregivers’ perspectives on the use of social robots in elderly care. From an initial pool of 632 articles, 31 studies were selected for in-depth analysis. The findings indicate that caregivers generally perceive social robots as valuable tools to reduce workload and enhance care quality, provided they serve as complementary aids rather than replacements for human caregivers. Key features valued by caregivers include user-friendly design, adaptability to individualized care, and the ability to support communication and cognitive engagement for older adults. However, concerns persist regarding the complexity of robot operation, ethical implications, and the potential for increased caregiver oversight rather than workload reduction. Additionally, research gaps remain in understanding the long-term psychological and professional impacts of robot-assisted care on caregivers. This review underscores the importance of balancing technological advancements with human-centred caregiving to ensure the ethical and effective integration of social robots into eldercare settings.