Design Help - Loneliness of the Elderly

In my bachelor's thesis I deal with the design of a robotic companion, which will help especially lonely elders. In this work I emphasize reliance, ethical issues and privacy of the user. My concern rests not only in the formal aspect of the product, but also in the way of robot's interaction and communication with the user. Robot will be able to provide company as well as call for help in the the time of distress. Formal solution is based on zoomorphic shapes but at at the same time is trying to be accommodating and non-invasive.