We’ve been chatting with some incredible product leaders working at the intersection of AI and AgeTech and it’s clear the opportunity is more than just pushing the envelope on software capabilities or utilizing the newest capability. It’s about expanding the ability to deliver experiences that truly support older adults and their caregivers seamlessly in their everyday lives.
From reactive to proactive care
Most healthcare still kicks in after something goes wrong. But with AI and tools like sensors, voice data, and wearables, we’re starting to see a shift toward predictive care which empowers technology to spot risks before they escalate..
An early adopter of AI is Maia Care, a free digital platform that empowers family caregivers to coordinate care, track health and daily activities, and access expert content and local services all in a single application. Based on inputs, their solution offers early insights through wellness tracking and shares recommendations for collaborative tools and resources. This allows families to take preventative, proactive steps to support aging loved ones before issues become crises.
By helping families track everything from mood to medication and connecting them to trusted resources and local services, we’re closing the gap between care coordination and actual quality of life outcomes. - Sara Strope, Maia Care
Another group that helps expand care in the home is Calico Care who has built a sensor-based smart home system that quietly tracks things like movement and medication adherence. It’s discreet, no cameras involved, and helps caregivers and families stay connected while giving seniors the freedom to “thrive in motion.”
Our sensors track key indicators like movement, medication adherence, and falls, while blending seamlessly into the home environment. - Liz Habermeyer, Calico Care
The key challenge in being more proactive? Designing these tools to surface just the right insights and not overwhelm users with data. In AgeTech, nailing your messaging and building trust are the building blocks of generating predictions that can be trusted and in turn result in action.
Digital companions that feel like a friend, not a security camera
There’s also real potential for AI to support emotional well-being and not just physical health. With natural language processing and thoughtful UX, digital companions can feel more like a helpful friend than a cold assistant, and work to combat loneliness and provide support when needed.
Calico Care’s Alexa integration is a great example; it’s more than just a safety monitor. It can read recipes, share the news, and offer entertainment which makes it feel more like a companion than a watchdog. The additional benefits and thoughtful touchpoints help drive adoption in a user’s home and facilitates trust.
Imagine a system that senses someone might be feeling off and gently suggests a video call with a loved one or plays a favorite song. That’s where technology is headed.
Designing with empathy, not assumptions
AI expands the options when it comes to personalization, but it can only be successful when your strategy is grounded in user needs and approaching UI/UX with empathy and inclusivity. A benefit for designers looking to grow in this industry is that learning how to design solutions for older adults makes you a better designer, period. Our Principal Product Designer, Andrew Spencer shared his own experience when he helped his grandfather send an email.
Here are more of our suggestions on how to keep inclusivity in mind when building software products. For AgeTech specifically, some of the principles we keep coming back to:
- Accessibility is a feature, not an afterthought.
- Clarity and building trust beats cleverness.
- Onboarding and clear messaging go a long way.
Philosopher and thoughtbot friend Walter Sinnott-Armstrong developed a solution to help engage users to gather end of life preferences and describes AI as a useful aid but doesn’t cross the line of decision maker.
“Our AgeTech tool doesn’t make the decision, it helps people express what matters most and facilitates tough conversations. It’s a consultant, not a controller. That distinction builds trust.”
This philosophy echoes the broader themes we see in successful AgeTech products: trust, transparency, and the right balance between digital support and human care. This balance can only be achieved through thoughtful messaging and quality user research that works to understand the emotions behind decisions, and motivations for both users and their loved ones.
Startups in Agetech are uniquely positioned to build tech that’s truly meaningful, and when done correctly their products can support health, independence, and dignity in one of life’s most complex and underserved stages.
If you’re exploring Agetech, AI, or any kind of health-focused experience, we’d love to connect. Let’s build a future where support, connection, and care are just part of the experience.
