Tech helps families support elderly loved ones aging in place

Created at 12 Jul · 8:15 AM1 source↑ Market-relevant

IN SHORT

Families are increasingly using smart home technology, including specialized TVs and appliances, to help elderly relatives maintain independence at home. These devices aim to ease the burden on caregivers and provide reassurance, while offering features like remote monitoring and assistance.

Key Numbers

$10,000monthly assisted living bill

$100monthly tech subscription cost

61 millionAmericans age 65 and older

93Marion Murray's age

60Karen Murray's age

$789JubileeTV all-in cost

$389JubileeTV annual subscription

$3,000cost of some Samsung appliances

$70annual cost for Zinnia's services

Who's Involved

Karen Murray

daughter using JubileeTV to assist her mother

Marion Murray

93-year-old mother with cognitive impairment using JubileeTV

Mark Benson

head of Samsung's SmartThings platform

Tech helps families support elderly loved ones aging in place

↳ Why This Matters

The increasing availability and adoption of smart home technology offer a potential solution for families struggling with the costs and emotional toll of elder care, enabling seniors to maintain independence while providing caregivers with reassurance and support.

Key facts

Karen Murray uses JubileeTV to remotely control her mother Marion's television, music, and communication.
JubileeTV includes a built-in camera for remote visual monitoring.
A variety of smart home appliances, including refrigerators, stoves, and showers, are being developed to assist elderly individuals living independently.
These technologies often incorporate AI for pattern detection, anomaly identification, and motion tracking.
The aim of these products is to support aging in place, reduce caregiver stress, and enhance safety, rather than replace human interaction.
The cost of these devices can be a significant barrier for some families.

Families are increasingly turning to technology to help elderly relatives live independently for longer, aiming to reduce the financial burden of assisted living and provide peace of mind. Karen Murray, for example, uses JubileeTV to manage her 93-year-old mother Marion's television, music, and communication remotely. The device, which resembles a normal TV, allows Karen to control it from her phone and includes a built-in camera for visual check-ins, fostering a stronger bond between mother and daughter.

This trend extends beyond specialized TVs, with a growing market of smart home appliances like refrigerators, stoves, ovens, and showers designed with caregiving functionalities. These products often leverage artificial intelligence to monitor activity, detect anomalies, and simplify daily tasks. Samsung refrigerators track food inventory, while smart stoves feature automatic shutoff systems. Other devices offer WiFi and voice control for ease of use, and platforms like Uniper Care and Onscreen provide remote telehealth and communication features.

While the goal is to support and reassure families, the cost of these advanced technologies can be a significant barrier, with some devices costing thousands of dollars plus annual subscriptions. Despite this, many families are eager to experiment with solutions that can help their loved ones remain safe and self-sufficient, emphasizing that the technology aims to complement, not replace, human relationships in caregiving.

Frequently asked questions

JubileeTV is a smart television designed to help families remotely assist elderly relatives. It allows users to control the TV, play music, make calls, and includes a built-in camera for visual check-ins.

These technologies can help seniors maintain independence, provide reassurance to families, reduce caregiver stress, and potentially lower the costs associated with assisted living facilities.

Examples include smart TVs like JubileeTV, refrigerators that track food levels, stoves with automatic shutoff, and smart toilets with fall alarms and infection detection.

The primary challenges include the high cost of devices and subscriptions, potential reliance on stable WiFi, and ensuring the technology supports rather than replaces essential human connection in caregiving.

What Happens Next

01Families will continue to experiment with new technologies to support aging in place.

02The cost of smart home caregiving technology may decrease as the market matures.

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Cadence

How It Developed

Karen Murray uses JubileeTV to remotely manage her mother Marion's TV, music, and calls.

JubileeTV features a built-in camera for remote visual check-ins.

Many smart home products, from refrigerators to showers, are now marketed to aid older adults aging in place.

These devices often use AI to detect patterns and anomalies, tracking motion and providing automated functions.

Samsung refrigerators track food levels, while smart stoves have automatic shutoff.

Other smart appliances offer WiFi and voice control for simplified use.

Remote caregiving features like telehealth and photo sharing are available through platforms like Uniper Care and Onscreen.

The goal of this technology is to support, not replace, human caregiving relationships.

Sources

Meet the families using tech to help grandma stay independent longerBusiness Insider