After retirement, people usually like to spend time with their close relatives and friends. However, everyone is not lucky to have their family around them. It has been noted that often children have to live in another city for their work. In such a situation, elderly people are exposed to risks such as social detachment, health problems, mental issues, financial crunch, etc. Artificial Intelligence (AI) related technologies have come out with some crucial breakthroughs for supporting elderly people who are facing challenges like loneliness, health issues, etc. Here’s how AI technologies are trying to bridge the gaps in elderly care in India.

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Remote Monitoring And Health Support

In India, one of the big gaps in elderly care can be seen in matters related to their regular monitoring and health support. When children live in big cities and their parents live in small towns, they can’t meet for many days and weeks. Travelling can be a costly affair. This gap is easily bridged by AI technology. Seniors can be tracked using AI cameras and their health conditions can be monitored from distant places. Using wearable devices enabled with AI technology, the health condition of elderly people can be tracked round-the-clock. In an emergency, such wearable devices can automatically send alerts to preset contacts. AI-based telemedicine is also helping elderly people in getting medical consultations from remote locations.

AI Gadgets And Robotic Assistance

Gadgets and robotic assistance such as auto-mopping machines, connected air-conditioners, virtual reality devices, automated lighting, mobility assistance, etc. are already present in the market that is making life easier for elderly people.

Some of such gadgets may be costly for elderly people, so they may choose devices according to their needs and budget.

Enhanced security

There are many cases reported every year in which elderly people are assaulted or attacked for stealing their money. It mostly happens due to a lack of security. AI technology has bridged this gap by allowing AI-enabled security cameras that can be placed in and around the living areas of senior citizens. Such AI cameras can be used for two-way interaction, surveillance at night, sending automatic alerts on movements when they are resting, etc. Such cameras can also track the movement of senior people and send their daily movement chart to the caregiver.

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Mental Care

When senior people live alone and there is nobody around them to talk to and listen to their problems, they are at risk of gradually slipping towards anxiety and depression. AIs can help in the mental care of such old people. AIs can chat with elderly people, provide answers to their questions and assist them when they are feeling mentally exhausted. AIs can identify mental issues at an early stage and send alerts to the caregiver.

Apart from the AI technologies mentioned above, elderly people can also get AI assistance in making their budget, and investment plans, social robots for companionship, automating door security such as for locking and unlocking, virtual assistance for setting reminders such as to take medicines, book tickets, get doctor appointments, etc.

The author is an independent financial journalist.