# How technology is helping to reduce loneliness among the elderly Author: Pal Sinha, Barnali Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali Published: 2020-12-30 Category: LIFESTYLE Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/lifestyle Meta Title: AI & Augmented Voice Tech: Combating Loneliness in the Meta Description: Discover how AI and Augmented Voice Technology are revolutionising companionship for elderly UK residents, reducing loneliness and improving quality of life. URL: https://financedigest.com/how-technology-is-helping-to-reduce-loneliness-among-the-elderlyhtml ![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/graphicstock-happy-seniors-networking-together-at-homehmgnho8fvw-scaled-1736838662184-compressed.jpg) _By **Phil Marshman,** founder and CEO of [Sentai](https://sentai.ai/)_ It is estimated over 2 million elderly UK residents will suffer with loneliness by 2025, with nearly a third of people today aged over 65 and living alone describing themselves as often, or always, feeling lonely – that’s not even taking into account the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had this year. Two national lockdowns and ongoing social distancing measures have kept those who live alone restricted from the outside world, naturally increasing the already distressing number of people suffering with some form of loneliness. Like most problems in today’s world, we often turn to technology to find a solution. [Caring and supporting the elderly and vulnerable is no different and there has been a high and ongoing demand to offer people who live independently a product](https://www.financedigest.com/cosmetic-tubes-market-will-register-4-6-cagr-as-application-grows-in-personal-care-products-packaging.html "Cosmetic Tubes Market will Register 4.6% CAGR as Application Grows in Personal Care Products Packaging") that can bring them companionship to combat loneliness, which in the worse cases can lead to depression, stress and anxiety. Family caregivers have also been calling out for a solution that can offer them peace of [mind when they can’t physically](https://www.financedigest.com/mind-the-gap-plugging-the-physical-disconnect-in-a-digital-first-retail-era.html "Mind the gap: plugging the physical disconnect in a digital-first retail era") be present for their elderly loved ones. The stresses around caring for vulnerable family members can also cause poor metal wellbeing for the caregivers themselves – it’s a double-edged sword. Thankfully, we are now seeing [technology being utilised for this suffering sector](https://www.financedigest.com/the-technologies-set-to-boost-the-finance-sector-in-2022.html "The technologies set to boost the finance sector in 2022"). Research shows that every £1 invested into tackling loneliness can [save up to £3 in health costs](https://www.financedigest.com/untapped-cost-savings-why-smart-building-management-systems-are-a-finance-department-priority.html "Untapped Cost Savings: Why Smart Building Management Systems are a Finance Department Priority"), so it makes sense to be looking into technology that can solve the problem, save costs in the long-term, and reduce pressure on our health services. The recent introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Voice [Technology has allowed developers to create agile products that not only assist and support someone who lives](https://www.financedigest.com/how-technology-has-changed-our-lives.html "How Technology has Changed Our Lives") alone, but learns from their behaviours to interact in a more personal, meaningful manner. ![Phil Marshman](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/phil-marshman-founder-and-ceo-of-sentai-450x675-1736838661770-compressed.jpg) Phil Marshman Take your standard hands-free and voice-controlled [smart device](https://www.financedigest.com/smart-home-devices-market-is-expected-to-grow-at-a-healthy-cagr-of-over-18-during-the-study-forecast-period-2021-2031.html "Smart Home Devices Market is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR of over 18% during the study forecast period 2021-2031"), for example. It speaks when spoken to and responds to the user’s commands, which is very useful. Now imagine that [device is in the home of someone who lives alone with dementia or another type](https://www.financedigest.com/signalling-device-market-competitive-growth-strategies-based-on-type-applications-end-user-and-region.html "Signalling Device Market Competitive Growth Strategies Based on Type, Applications, End User and Region") of memory loss illness. What good is it then? The question then becomes how can we create a two-way conversation where the [device is prompting and reminding the user to take their routine medication](https://www.financedigest.com/wearable-medical-devices-market-size-to-surge-at-the-cagr-of-17-7-from-2018-to-2026.html "Wearable Medical Devices Market Size to Surge at the CAGR of 17.7% from 2018 to 2026"), for example, or have a videocall with the grandkids. By using a complex algorithm that can learn from its contextual experiences with the user, then loneliness can be [significantly reduced](https://www.financedigest.com/white-bullets-collaboration-with-polands-sygnal-association-significantly-reduces-ad-funded-piracy-in-key-european-market.html "White Bullet’s collaboration with Poland’s Sygnał Association significantly reduces ad-funded piracy in key European market") among the older population, and even eliminated in some cases. It is remarkable that 49 per cent of elderly people in the UK state that the TV or their pets [offer them their main source of company](https://www.financedigest.com/factbox-european-companies-offer-one-off-bonuses-hike-pay-amid-cost-of-living-crisis.html "Factbox-European companies offer one-off bonuses, hike pay amid cost-of-living crisis"). Neither can speak back to you and sometimes that is all someone really needs; a meaningful conversation. [Pioneering AI and Augmented Voice Technology](https://www.financedigest.com/adnami-to-receive-six-figure-sum-of-investment-from-danish-government-in-recognition-of-its-pioneering-technology-and-strategy.html "Adnami to receive six-figure sum of investment from Danish government in recognition of its pioneering technology and strategy") can offer conversations while helping the user to sustain a healthy and quality lifestyle. Whether it’s talking to someone who [lives alone about their day](https://www.financedigest.com/freedom-day-sydney-reopens-as-australia-looks-to-live-with-covid-19.html "‘Freedom Day’: Sydney reopens as Australia looks to live with COVID-19") ahead, suggesting they should get some fresh air and exercise with a walk at 2pm, giving them a new recipe to try out, or reminding them their favourite TV programme starts at 5pm, the possibilities are endless and increase the fostering of companionship and even friendship. Furthermore, the device’s warm, friendly voice can be regionalised to suit the user, making them feel even more comfortable and less alone. It may sound unrealistic and too far into the [future for a person and a device to interact in this way](https://www.financedigest.com/contactless-payments-the-way-of-the-future-or-security-scare.html "Contactless Payments – The Way of the Future or Security Scare?"), but it’s already happening now, and will soon be commonplace in the homes of people across the UK. While machine learning isn’t revolutionary, using it to reduce loneliness and support caregivers who can’t always be there for their loved ones is. And where does the caregiver fit into this new relationship between their family member and the ever-evolving smart device? Well, [products are now available on the market](https://www.financedigest.com/extruded-soy-products-market-overview-analysis-by-source-type-product-regional-outlook-industry-analysis-report-and-forecast-2022-2029.html "Extruded Soy Products Market Overview & Analysis by Source, Type, Product, Regional Outlook, Industry Analysis Report and Forecast, 2022 – 2029") that come equipped with sensors that can monitor the user’s movements, providing text updates on their mobility to relatives and carers, and alerting them in emergencies. Caregivers can even [stay connected via a smart](https://www.financedigest.com/uk-broadcasters-to-stay-prominent-on-smart-tvs-and-speakers.html "UK broadcasters to stay prominent on smart TVs and speakers") app, with daily performance logs and push notifications enabling them to get peace of mind – anxiety and stress is alleviated with this best-in-class independent care. Although still a fairly new and evolving field of development, [technology built to combat loneliness and improve poor mental health](https://www.financedigest.com/meeting-of-minds-using-technology-to-reimagine-mental-health-support.html "Meeting of minds: Using technology to reimagine mental health support") will soon be integrated into more typical IOT in the household, allowing it to control other smart devices around the user’s home. Overall, as more advancements are made in the field of AI in caregiving, we can expect to [see more caregiving devices popping up in the homes](https://www.financedigest.com/german-home-solar-power-firm-sees-bright-future-as-demand-soars.html "German home solar power firm sees bright future as demand soars") of people who fall into the 1.4million that feel lonely, and ultimately, that can only be a good thing. --- This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more. ---