By-Dr Dhamodharan M
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology
And Ms Pranusha Katta
Student of B. Tech (CSE)
SRM University AP
What if the technology we use every day could safely add years to our parents’ lives?
As people get older, we usually have common questions in our minds, such as, will they be healthy longer? Will the symptoms be identified immediately? Are the advanced medicines enough? These questions frequently come to our mind due to ageing, and it is tough to understand the complete symptoms of the disease, such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney issues, cancer, and significant mental health issues. Until the major symptoms arise, people may think it is a common symptom associated with aging. Due to this, the traditional old model of healthcare deals with these issues after the symptoms continue and are not reduced. Fortunately, Artificial intelligence is helping to change this method. AI has provided us with new insights into how we can monitor our parents’ health, enabling us to identify trends that we would have otherwise overlooked. It collects, analyses, and calculates data in unprecedented ways, transforming disparate figures into useful predictions. AI can provide us with something: time to prepare, time to react, time to save, and time to help our parents not only live longer but also live better lives. The following AI tools are beneficial for the health and mental well-being of elders.
Artificial Intelligence and Cardiovascular Disease
One of the most radical areas where AI is breaking the rules is the area of early disease detection. Heart disease, which has been one of the leading causes of mortality among the adult population above the age of 45, is not always symptomatic. However, today AI models can be applied to ECGs, cholesterol levels, past health history, habits, behaviours, and even genetic risks to detect abnormalities before they become harmful. There are many AI tools available; the following artificial intelligence tools currently play a significant role in their respective fields.
- Apple Watch ECG with AI-Enabled Algorithms
The Apple Watch is a smartwatch that utilizes built-in ECG sensors and advanced AI algorithms to continuously monitor heart rhythm and detect irregularities, such as atrial fibrillation (AFib). It has received FDA 510(k) clearance as a medical device for ECG recording and AFib detection, making it one of the most thoroughly tested consumer wearable health tools available. This application helps detect AFib and sinus rhythm. This AI has high diagnostic accuracy and nearly 99% specificity for detecting sinus rhythm compared to our traditional ECG assessment. The AI-powered AFib history examines improper heart rhythms across time to identify indirect or asymptomatic episodes of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Because smartwatches are worn daily and continuously monitor heart signals, they can detect early warning signs before they reach clinical complications.
- AliveCor Kardia
AliveCor’s Kardia is a portable, AI-enabled ECG device that connects to smartphones and uses AI algorithms to detect abnormal heart rhythms such as AFib. It has received FDA approval and is considered one of the most clinically validated mobile ECG solutions for arrhythmia detection. This tool is more useful because it utilizes machine learning and AI for ECG interpretation to detect AFib and other rhythm irregularities in real-time. The research demonstrates very high sensitivity and specificity, with performance comparable to implanted loop recorders. It gives consumer-accessible ECG recordings that can inform medical decisions and provide early alerts to patients and clinicians. AliveCor’s technology is one of the most evidence-supported AI cardiac tools today. It is available on online platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart.
AI tools for Diabetes and Kidney disease
The similar intelligence also enhances the detection of diabetes and kidney diseases. Even small fluctuations in daily sugar levels, physical activity, water intake, and sleep quality may be evaluated through risk calculators based on machine learning, providing information about whether a person is moving towards a pre-diabetic condition or a high-risk one. Apps have begun to remind users to modify their lifestyles way before the doctor might have considered the need to worry. The following tools are more useful for diabetes and kidney problems
- Nightscout: Continuous Glucose Monitoring Platform (CGM):
Nightscout is an open-source software ecosystem that enables continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data from wearable glucose sensors to be accessed, visualized, and analyzed in real-time using smartphones or cloud platforms. Users, including patients, carers, and clinicians, can see continuous glucose trends and patterns outside of clinical visits.Nightscout highlights ongoing blood sugar trends, enabling AI/analytics platforms to detect minor glucose fluctuations, identify risk patterns, and support proactive diabetes management. It allows for predictive risk alerts and lifestyle recommendations before clinical symptoms worsen, which aligns with the point about early warning and lifestyle reminders when combined with real-time CGM data. It enables individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes to continuously monitor their glucose levels and identify risk patterns that a clinician may only observe during scheduled visits.
- io: Smartphone Urinalysis for Kidney Health Screening
This AI application is used in smart mobile cameras and applied in a clinical urinalysis that can identify early symptoms of kidney damage by analyzing protein levels through a urine dipstick. It utilizes Artificial Intelligence to analyze the colorimetric results with medical-grade accuracy. This tool is user-friendly and easy to use, enabling the identification of kidney dysfunction through subtle biochemical changes before the onset of main clinical symptoms. Healthy.io shows that the AI-generated image and readings are standardized and more precise, which helps identify kidney issues early. This application has FDA clearance and is the most widely used.
- KidneyIntelX – Prognostic Tool for Diabetic Kidney Disease
KidneyIntelX is an AI-powered risk stratification platform that predicts the chance of disease progression in patients with type 2 diabetes and early kidney disease by combining clinical data and blood biomarkers. Due to its potential to enhance clinical decision-making for early-stage diabetic kidney disease, it has been designated as an FDA Breakthrough Device. This tool categorizes patients into low-, medium-, or high-risk groups for the progression of chronic kidney disease using machine learning. These resources can assist medical professionals in taking early action and customising treatment regimens before severe kidney damage develops. Strong clinical potential and regulatory support for eventual market authorisation are indicated.
Detection of Falls
Falling is one of the main reasons for physical illness in old age—continuous observation of old age people to ensure their safety from falling. Many modern AI wearables help give signals in a prompt. A minor incident of falling can create a major disaster in an elder’s life, particularly when they are alone. Based on advanced AI tools and sensors, falls are detected immediately, and relatives receive notifications promptly.
- Apple Smart AI Watch
The Apple Watch from Series 4 uses advanced motion sensors and machine-learning algorithms to detect hard falls and alert the wearer immediately. If the person is unresponsive, the device will automatically contact emergency services and notify family members of their current location. Health professionals value this tool because it combines fall detection with continuous heart rate monitoring, ECG features, and activity tracking, providing dependable and user-friendly protection around the clock.
- Philips Lifeline with AutoAlert:
A medical-grade wearable explicitly designed for older adults and those at high risk of falling. Unlike consumer smartwatches, this system focuses solely on safety and emergency care. Its AI-assisted sensors can detect falls without the user pressing a button and immediately connect them to a 24-hour professional response centre. Experts frequently recommend Philips Lifeline for older adults living alone because it provides immediate human intervention, making it one of the most reliable solutions in home-based elder care.
Medication Management
Beyond medicine, AI is making its way into the realm of everyday caregiving. AI-based applications that remind parents to take their medication, alert them to incorrect dosages, or warn them of potential drug interactions. Smart-home technology will provide an additional security level by detecting the presence of a gas leak, verifying whether appliances are turned off, and ensuring doors are closed. It will also monitor occupants’ mobility to identify suspicious activity. Even the ordinary navigation in the house is safer according to AI. The following AI applications are more useful compared with caretakers.
- Medisafe
It is one of the world’s most popular AI-based medication management apps, and healthcare professionals highly recommend it. This AI application provides timely reminders, dosage measurements, and alerts for potential drug interactions. Another benefit is that family members receive a message if a dosage is missed, which helps identify different medications. Medisafe substantially reduces medication mistakes and improves adherence, making it a fundamental tool in digital caregiving. This support reduces cognitive burden and improves safety.
- Amazon Alexa Care Hub
This AI tool is a voice-activated system and helps older adults who are not comfortable with smartphones. It works through simple voice interaction to remind users of medications, routine reminders such as water, food, and appointments, as well as health checks. It connects with home smart devices and helps caregivers remotely monitor their elderly relatives. Amazon Alexa minimizes the technological barrier for older adults when they are staying alone. Moreover, it is integrated with other devices, such as fall detection devices, smart sensors, and caregivers’ smart mobile phones.
Mental Health
A reconfiguration is also taking place in the field of mental and emotional health, an area that is often overshadowed by the concept of physical health. There are two main factors associated with old age: loneliness and social isolation, which can contribute to cognitive decline. Following AI tools work as companions and cognitive support to create meaningful interactions that keep older people active, engaged, and psychologically connected.
- ElliQ:
ElliQ is a social robot designed for older adults. It engages in daily conversations, supports activities, and games that focus on memories and words, helping as a reminder for scheduled appointments in hospitals and medication dosages. It also works as a companion for physical activities. Additionally, it incorporates the routines and preferences of older individuals, emphasizing cognitive engagement and reducing feelings of loneliness. This AI tool is identified as an emotional and social companion for older adults who live alone.
- Replika
The Replika AI tool is designed to provide emotional support to older adults. It communicates freely, expresses emotions, gives a reflection on thoughts, and engages in meaningful conversations with aged people. Replika offers a safe and judgment-free environment for conversation. It may not replace human relationships and interaction, but it provides emotional stimulation and a sense of belonging that alleviates isolation and loneliness.
All the above-mentioned AI tools assist the elderly. Nonetheless, each revolution has its own complications. The advanced AI in health and mental health raises concerns about data privacy, trust in technology, error, and accessibility. These AI tools are not for all types of families based on their economic status, and not every AI system is always trustworthy. These issues must be negotiated with careful considerations, where the innovation must not carry more weight than ethics. However, if the AI technology becomes inexpensive and accessible, it will be helpful for all types of families. It is possible to have home-based AI diagnostic tools that assist with medical examinations, and smartwatches will function as mini diagnostic laboratories within the decade.
Finally, AI’s promise is not just a technological one but also a promise of love. It is about giving our parents the gift of security and comfort, and even extending their lifespan. AI tools offer a form of companionship that is not machine-based, but instead based on attention, consistency, quietness, and reliability. If devices are adopted, our parents will live longer, be healthier, and happier. Moreover, in cases where we cannot remain with them, we will possess AI that is alert, watchful, and ready to protect those whom we love the most. In the end, AI’s greatest gift is not only technology; it is the peace of knowing our parents or aged people are genuinely cared for.
