Loneliness among the elderly is a growing public health crisis. However, smart technology can help. From personal alarms to AI-driven sensors and social robots, technology enabled care offers innovative ways to support independence, wellbeing, and meaningful human connection.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n Older adults today are healthier and more active than ever before. But an ageing population brings new challenges. Among the most urgent is loneliness – a silent epidemic that impacts millions of elderly people worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Technology enabled care offers a transformative solution, not only enhancing independence and safety but also directly addressing social isolation. According to studies, loneliness can be as harmful to health as smoking or obesity. It increases the risk of heart disease, depression, cognitive decline, and premature death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing highlighted the isolation faced by many older people. Now, as the world has opened up again, it’s vital we rethink care – placing connection and compassion at the core, with technology as a key enabler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Technology enabled care is defined as digital technology that contributes to a greater quality of life for the elderly and those living with a disability<\/em>. At Careium, we adopt this definition while focusing on how it promotes safety, independence, and social inclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Discover our full range of telecare accessories<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By 2050, the number of people over 80 will more than double in many countries. In Germany, this age group will grow from 8% of the population in 2030 to 13% by 2050. Meanwhile, fewer younger people are available to provide care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most older people wish to remain at home. However, as home care recipients become more spread out, it\u2019s harder to provide consistent, face-to-face contact. This can lead to increased loneliness – unless supported by smart solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sensors and wearables are now able to detect falls<\/a> or sudden immobility, alert carers if eating patterns or hygiene habits change, track toileting frequency (which can indicate infections), as well as monitor sleep quality and movement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These devices not only alert but analyse, allowing early intervention and reducing hospital visits by up to 80% in some trials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Robots can lead group activities in care homes, help older adults remember to eat, hydrate, or take medication, provide entertainment or companionship and allow families and carers to check in remotely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most important benefit? Preserving dignity and independence, which is highly valued by older adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Uddevalla, a Swedish municipality, has become a role model in integrating technology enabled care into elderly care. Led by Christer Fransson, their approach focuses on increasing quality of life rather than cost-cutting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By introducing remote monitoring, they\u2019ve reduced unnecessary visits while making residents feel safer and more independent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTechnology enables us to spend less time driving and more time caring,\u201d says Fransson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Future plans include collecting anonymised health data to spot issues before symptoms arise. It\u2019s a forward-thinking approach grounded in dignity and compassion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read more about Uddevalla and their use of technology enabled care<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Loneliness Commission (Ensamhetskommissionen<\/a>) is a politically independent national initiative founded in February\u202f2021 to tackle involuntary loneliness among Sweden\u2019s older adults. Its goals include mapping the scale of loneliness, raising awareness, and proposing concrete solutions through policy makers, campaigns, and community action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With Careium as one of its founding partners, the Commission brings together experts – such as journalist Amelia \u202fAdamo, psychologist Ingmar \u202fSkoog, and other senior leaders – to unite technology, research, and lived experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Its impact is tangible: it prompted government funding for national loneliness mapping strategies, delivered policy recommendations at both municipal and national levels, and launched the \u201cNo one should have no one\u201d (Ingen ska ha ingen) campaign – encouraging simple acts of connection<\/p>\n\n\n\n Technology enabled care saves time. But the real win is what we do with that time. Every minute saved by automation should be reinvested in human connection – a visit, a chat, or a helping hand. Last updated: July 4, 2025<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is technology enabled care?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Technology enabled care includes:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Small, wearable devices that allow older and vulnerable adults to call for help at any time – whether they’ve fallen or feel unwell. These alarms give peace of mind to both users and their families.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Cameras and motion sensors reduce the need for physical night visits, preventing sleep disruption and allowing carers to check in remotely and securely.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Systems that automatically adjust lighting, lock doors, or alert carers if something is wrong. These small features promote both autonomy and safety.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Includes everything from robotic pets that reduce anxiety, to automated vacuums and even humanoid robots that offer reminders, entertainment, and companionship.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
AI can detect changes in behaviour – such as decreased movement, irregular toilet visits, or lack of eating – which may signal health issues or depression.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nWhy technology enabled care is essential for ageing populations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The demographic challenge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Staying at home longer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Technology enabled care as a cost-neutral quality boost<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Smart monitoring means care givers can prioritise visits where help is actually needed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
With fewer routine checks, carers can focus on emotional support and companionship.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
A study that we conducted together with Lund University showed that digital monitoring reduces CO\u2082 emissions equivalent to one flight per year, per person.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Technology enabled care reduces the need for staff to make risky night-time visits or drive in poor weather conditions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nPersonalised and proactive support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Smarter, data-driven devices<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Social and assistive robotics<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Real-life impact: Uddevalla municipality<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Loneliness Commission<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Policy recommendations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Ensure privacy, safety, and equality in access to technology across regions. Propose a national knowledge centre.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Rural and small communities must be included through government-backed funding.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Technology enabled care requires new roles – support workers who understand both care and tech.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Make it a requirement in public tenders that providers show strategies for reducing social isolation.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nFinal thought: Let\u2019s make every saved minute count<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If we approach technology enabled care not as a cost-saver, but as a humanity amplifier, we\u2019ll not only care better – we\u2019ll care smarter.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDiscover more<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Download whitepaper (original):<\/h4>\n\n\n\n