This article presents an exploration of conversational chatbots designed to alleviate loneliness among older adults. In addition to technical evaluation, it delves into effective communication between these systems and this demographic group, considering linguistic nuances, communicative preferences, and specific emotional needs. The intrinsic importance of chatbots as innovative solutions in combating loneliness is highlighted, emphasizing their ability to be understanding and empathetic allies, contributing to emotional well-being and socialization. The article explores how improved emotional well-being can positively impact the health and quality of life of older adults. The methodology, rooted in triangulation between a literature review and qualitative research through interviews and focus groups with older adults, provides a comprehensive insight into the findings. Ethical, technical, and design considerations such as privacy, autonomy, technology adaptation, and usability are also addressed. The article concludes with practical recommendations for developing user-friendly interfaces that encourage the active participation of older adults in chatbots. This holistic approach not only analyzes the technical effectiveness of chatbots in mitigating loneliness in older adults but delves into human, ethical, and practical aspects, enriching the understanding and implementation of these agents for social and emotional support.
The Quality of Life (QoL) of older adults in nursing homes depends on multiple factors. It is necessary to discover the dimensions of QoL, and to obtain an integrating model, analyzing their relationships. With this aim, an exhaustive systematic literature review has been conducted in this area over the last decade. The research question has been to obtain the advances on the key factors influencing the QoL and well-being of older adults living in nursing homes in the last decade. Multiple databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library, PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCOhost, and Emerald were used. This review was reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. “Thematic Synthesis Analysis” was used to analyze the studies. The CADIMA web tool was used to conduct the systematic review. The quality of the studies was assessed. The findings were summarized, obtaining a classification of the relevant studies: models or scales for QoL; vision and perception of the QoL of the stakeholders; and determination of QoL through factors (relationship between factors and predictive factors). The results not only evidence the need for further research into this topic, but also the need for an integrative model of QoL, personalized and adapted both to the residents and the nursing home.