AI for Seniors is becoming an important tool for seniors to stay active in their homes, promoting independence, healthcare, socialization and mental health, and even helping to reduce healthcare costs. However, AI is not without its limitations. Many of these systems may not be aware of the emotional or contextual nuances that are often expressed in conversations with seniors, causing them to misunderstand the information they receive and provide inadequate responses. In addition, many of these AI systems collect, store, and process large chunks of personal information, creating concerns about data privacy and security that must be addressed in a way that is sensitive to the unique needs and concerns of older adults.
Harnessing AI: Empowering Seniors in the Digital Age
Fortunately, advances in AI for the elderly are helping to solve these challenges. For example, new devices such as the ElliQ from Intuition Robotics are designed to act as a daily companion that not only provides a sense of safety and support, but also actively helps keep senior citizens mentally active through video calls with friends and family, games, news, trivia, and other content. They also help monitor the home for potential issues such as falls or medication adherence, alerting caregivers or emergency responders in a timely manner.
In addition, a growing number of AI-based systems are able to monitor cognitive and behavioral changes for early signs of dementia or depression. They can also detect and report changes in heart rate or blood pressure, and send forewarning messages to caregivers if they detect a decline in the health of a loved one.
