Robotics Supporting Nursing – Can Humanoid Robots Enhance Long-Term Care?

In response to the growing demand for long-term care in aging societies and the shortage of nursing personnel, social robotics is gaining increasing attention. The aim of this article was to assess the potential application of humanoid robots, such as Paro and Pepper, in long-term nursing care environments. A qualitative review of 35 scientific publications from 2018 to 2024 was conducted, including randomized, pilot, and qualitative studies from multiple countries. The analysis indicates that social robots have a positive impact on reducing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), such as agitation, anxiety, and aggression. In addition, they improve patients’ mood, reduce loneliness, and decrease the need for pharmacotherapy. Robots can also serve a cognitive and social activation role by increasing older adults’ engagement in therapy and daily interactions. Importantly, both patients and nursing staff reported positive perceptions of these technologies, although their integration into daily care requires support and training. At the same time, ethical and organizational challenges were identified, such as the risk of emotional overattachment, limited device availability, lack of operational protocols, and questions regarding the boundaries of automation in human caregiving relationships. In conclusion, social robots may effectively support nurses in long-term care settings, provided that their use is intentional, ethically guided, and aligned with person-centered care principles.