In the months after her husband of 65 years died, Dorothy Elicati said she did nothing but cry. “We had a beautiful relationship, and I miss him like I would miss my right arm,” Ms. Elicati, 84, said. Being alone in the house felt unbearable, she said, and she might have “lost her mind” — if it weren’t for a robot named ElliQ. “She makes me feel important.”ElliQ, a voice-activated robotic companion powered by artificial intelligence, is part of a New York State effort to ease the burdens of loneliness among older residents. Though people can experience feelings of isolation at any age, older adults are especially susceptible as they’re more likely to be divorced or widowed and to experience declines in their cognitive and physical health.

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Persons: Dorothy Elicati, Ms, Elicati, “, ” Organizations: New, New York State Locations: Orangetown, New York City, New York