Paws-itive Companions

In the state of New York, thousands of seniors are combating loneliness thanks to some faux furry friends. 

More than 31,000 animatronic pets have been given to older adults throughout the state thanks to a partnership between the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) and Ageless Innovation, the company that makes Joy for All robotic companion pets. The organizations announced the launch of the sixth phase of the initiative, delivering 4,725 pets and games. Since 2018, NYSOFA has distributed the pets, and the program has since been replicated in over 20 states. 

The animatronic cats and dogs are designed to be as lifelike as possible to provide comfort and companionship to older adults. NYSOFA said data has shown the pets are making a positive impact. Seventy-five percent of older adults who have received the pets reported a reduction in loneliness as well as a 75% decrease in pain. 

“I have seen first hand the power of these pets in the hands of lonely older adults,” said Susan Schrader, director of the Community Health Center of the North Country. “One individual immediately comes to mind: a 97-year-old woman with well-established dementia. While well cared for at home, she exhibited boredom and confusion, spending many hours in front of a TV that she couldn’t see because of her condition. She received an animatronic cat while on hospice care—and it was transformational.”

NYSOFA and Ageless Innovation also kicked off the second phase of an aligned effort to deliver Joy for All games to older adults around the state. In partnership with Hasbro, Joy for All reimagined classic board games like Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit and Game of Life with larger fonts and intergenerational information to make play more accessible to the older community. 

Loneliness and isolation were declared a public health crisis in 2023 by the U.S. Surgeon General. Social isolation has been linked to illness, depression and high blood pressure and costs the Medicare program $6.7 billion every year. 

“Our work with The New York State Office for the Aging and the Association on Aging in New York has resulted in heartwarming feedback from family members and caregivers who have seen significant positive changes in their loved ones as the result of receiving a companion pet,” said Ted Fischer, CEO and co-founder of Ageless Innovation. “This gratifying response, as well as the proven reduction in loneliness and pain that we’ve seen in older adults who have benefited from this program, is what inspires us every day.”