The Future of Senior Care: Why AI Is No Longer Optional

By Taranjeet Singh

As per official reports from the World Health Organization, by 2050, the world’s population of people aged 60 years and older will double (2.1 billion). The number of persons aged 80 years or older is expected to triple between 2020 and 2050 to reach 426 million.

Due to this, the global healthcare industry is facing numerous challenges in providing adequate care for seniors.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to offer transformative solutions to enhance the quality of care, improve operational efficiency, and address workforce shortages in the senior care sector.​

Market Growth and Investment in AI for Senior Care

In 2023, the market was valued at approximately $39.3 billion and is projected to reach $180.8 billion by 2031 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.2% during the forecast period.

Companies like Cera Care are at the forefront of integrating AI into senior care services. Cera has developed AI-backed tools that predict and prevent hospitalizations among older and vulnerable individuals, reducing patient hospitalizations by up to 70% and saving the UK Government and NHS £1 million a day. In January 2025, Cera raised $150 million to further scale its AI-led home healthcare model, achieving a valuation of over $1 billion.

AI-Driven Innovations in Senior Care

Shigeki Sugano, a professor at Waseda University, shows the importance of AI technologies in senior care. He discussed Japan's aging population and the potential of AI in caregiving and stated:​ "Given our highly advanced ageing society and declining births, we will be needing robots' support for medical and elderly care, and in our daily lives."

The world is in dire need of AI technologies to manage various aspects of senior care, such as health monitoring and administrative tasks.

One notable application is in health monitoring, where AI algorithms analyze data from wearable devices to detect early signs of health issues. For instance, AI can predict falls by recognizing changes in gait or posture. Similarly, these models can process data from blood pressure and glucose monitors to manage chronic diseases.​

AI-powered systems like Magic Notes are assisting social workers by transcribing conversations, drafting correspondence, and suggesting actions.

This technology reduces the administrative burden on caregivers and ensures that human workers can focus more on direct patient care. Councils in Swindon, Barnet, and Kingston, among others, have reported significant time savings and improved service delivery through the adoption of such AI tools.

Addressing Ethical and Practical Considerations

It is true that AI offers numerous benefits. However, it is essential to address ethical and practical aspects.

A study published in the International Journal of Older People Nursing cautions that poorly designed AI tools for older adults may lead to the 'dehumanization' of care. The study highlights concerns such as exacerbating social isolation, imposing behavioral standards, and reducing a user's sense of autonomy and privacy.

Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of involving older adults in the design and implementation of AI tools to ensure that these technologies enhance care without compromising human values.

A survey conducted in the UK estimated that 63% of the population is uncomfortable with sharing personal data to improve AI technology. Ensuring that AI systems adhere to strict data protection regulations and maintain transparency in data usage is crucial to building trust among users.

The Road Ahead

The integration of AI into senior care is not about replacing human caregivers but augmenting their capabilities.

AI can handle routine tasks, analyze vast amounts of data, and provide decision support, allowing human caregivers to focus on personalized care and emotional support. This synergy between AI and human care is essential to address the growing demands of an aging population effectively.​

Japan is going through an aging crisis, therefore, AI-driven robots like AIREC are being developed to assist with tasks such as patient repositioning and daily activities.

However, researchers note that significant technical challenges remain, particularly in ensuring safe physical interaction with humans.

Conclusion

AI was seen as a luxury in earlier days, but now, it has become a vital necessity of senior care.

Its applications in health monitoring, administrative efficiency, and personalized care are transforming the environment.