Addressing loneliness and isolation in older adults: Proactive affective agents provide better support

Lazlo Ring, Barbara Barry, Kathleen Totzke, Timothy Bickmore

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Loneliness and social isolation are significant problems in older adult populations. We describe a conversational agent-based system designed to provide longitudinal social support to isolated older adults. Results from an exploratory pilot study indicate that when the agent proactively draws elders into interactions, it is more effective at addressing loneliness than when the agent passively relies upon elders to initiate interactions. We discuss future research opportunities for affective computing to address this important societal problem.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings - 2013 Humaine Association Conference on Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction, ACII 2013
Pages61-66
Number of pages6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Event2013 5th Humaine Association Conference on Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction, ACII 2013 - Geneva, Switzerland
Duration: Sep 2 2013Sep 5 2013

Publication series

NameProceedings - 2013 Humaine Association Conference on Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction, ACII 2013

Conference

Conference2013 5th Humaine Association Conference on Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction, ACII 2013
Country/TerritorySwitzerland
CityGeneva
Period9/2/139/5/13

Keywords

  • Affective computing
  • ECA
  • Older adults

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computational Theory and Mathematics
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Human-Computer Interaction

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