Seventy-four (n=74) older adults experiencing loneliness in 3 long-term care homes will be randomized 1:1 to an 8-week, twice a week social intervention with the Grace humanoid robot vs. a treatment as usual active control. The investigators will assess change (baseline to week 8) in (1) loneliness (primary outcome), (2) depression severity and (3) stress (secondary outcomes), as well as (4) other exploratory outcomes : anxiety, quality of life and reduction in acute healthcare utilization. The investigators will also assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention using qualitative methods.
The investigators are aiming to compare the effects of a humanoid robot intervention to treatment as usual, on loneliness and mental health outcomes in older adults living in long-term care, through an assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial.