I can totally see why people who would be replaced by the robot would want it, I just can't imagine the person interacting with the robot, wanting it. Maybe if they couldn't tell the difference, but that just seems cruel.

I totally agree, it's difficult, and I'm of the opinion that the burden shouldn't fall solely on the family of the elderly person in question. Seems like it should be more of a social obligation. I just don't see how tech can solve this problem, at least not ethically. And your dad sounds like a good dude.

Social interaction with an object isn't social interaction, imo, so this is a hard sell.