For lonely seniors, AI companions can be a lifeline

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By 2030, one in four Singaporeans will be over the age of 65.

Loneliness elevates the risk of premature death to levels comparable with smoking, obesity and physical inactivity...Prolonged social isolation is linked to heart disease, obesity, depression, anxiety and even suicide. For older adults, loneliness increases the risk of dementia by 50 per cent and stroke by 32 per cent. 

Over-reliance on these artificial companions could deepen social isolation, particularly for older adults who might start favouring robotic interactions over human connections, under the illusion that these machines genuinely care for them.

Singapore is already embracing technological integration. RoboCoach Xian, for example, guides senior citizens through physical exercise routines, while Dexie, a versatile social robot, is used in dementia care to foster social interaction.  

For qns on loneliness, the elderly and AI....