The president of the German Red Cross (DRK), Gerda Hasselfeldt, has expressed skepticism regarding the near-term potential of artificial intelligence to assist in the care of vulnerable individuals. In comments to the Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers, Hasselfeldt emphasized that “a robot will never replace human connection” highlighting its crucial role in care, particularly for those with dementia.
While acknowledging that machines can assist in physically relieving the burden on human caregivers, Hasselfeldt stressed that genuine empathy and compassionate interaction can only be provided by people.
The former CSU Member of Parliament, who has led the DRK since 2017, also addressed the increasing strain on care facility staff. She noted that residents are generally entering care facilities at older ages, often with shorter stays, resulting in a rising proportion of individuals requiring intensive care and consequently, increased demand for personnel.
Furthermore, Hasselfeldt advocated for the allocation of funds from the federal government’s infrastructure special fund to retrofit care homes with heat-resistant infrastructure. She warned that elderly residents are particularly vulnerable during heatwaves and that many facilities lack the necessary structural adaptations. She also pointed out that energy-efficient renovations are lagging due to a lack of available resources within these institutions and expressed hope that funds from the special fund could be directed towards improving infrastructure in the social care sector.
