The hidden anxiety of supporting a loved one - And How Sentai Brings Peace of Mind
Support for an older relative often comes with a level of worry that never really goes away.
Even when nothing has gone wrong, many families spend a lot of time thinking about what might happen.
Research from Sentai shows just how common this has become. In the survey of 2,000 UK adults, 34% of families said they live in constant worry when they are not with the person they care for. Despite this, nearly half of families say they have never accessed any form of support, even though four in ten recognise that delay can worsen health conditions or increase the risk of a fall.
The results of this survey have uncovered the emotional strain behind the UK’s growing care crisis.
The mental toll of caring
Whether as a family member supporting an elderly loved one or as a professional carer, caring does not just take time; it takes a mental toll. For many families, the worry is constant. Concerns about an older relative living alone, missing medication, falling, or becoming unwell often sit in the background of daily life, with nearly half of people surveyed saying that fear of a fall is their biggest concern.
This creates a quieter form of caregiving stress. Families are not just managing appointments, medication, or daily routines, they are also carrying the fear of what might happen when they are not there.
Loneliness adds to this pressure. It is now recognised as a major health concern in later life, with an estimated cost to the UK of £31.35 billion each year1. For families, this emotional backdrop can feel just as serious as physical risks.
These findings reflect wider national trends. Research from Carers UK shows that 79% of carers feel stressed or anxious, almost half feel depressed, and half report feeling lonely. Caring can be isolating, particularly when people feel they have to manage everything themselves.
The wider impact on families
It’s important to acknowledge that this strain does not stop with worry. Around 5.8 million people in the UK act as unpaid carers, many of them of working age and balancing care with jobs and other responsibilities. Their contribution is valued at around £184 billion a year3.
While this support is essential, the impact on individuals, workplaces, and families is often hidden. Families and caregivers see stress, fatigue, and constant concern building over time, especially when support is delayed.
Finding support
For many families, the challenge is finding support that helps without feeling intrusive. They want reassurance that someone is okay, without stepping in too early or taking control away. This is particularly important when older relatives are living alone and value their independence.
Paul Statham, CEO of Sentai, says many families live with a sense of ongoing uncertainty. “Behind every older person living at home, there is often a son, daughter, or partner carrying invisible anxiety,” he said. “Families are not just worried about practical risks like falls. They are living with continual uncertainty and questioning whether they are doing the right thing or acting soon enough. This delay in seeking support is one of the most common and most damaging patterns we see.”
He added: “At Sentai, we speak to families every day who are trying to balance independence with safety, and dignity with peace of mind. That is exactly why we developed our AI companion, not to replace human care but to bridge the gap between visits, to give families continuous reassurance, and to offer a friendly voice in the room for their loved ones.”
Sentai is designed to support older adults living at home while helping families feel reassured between visits. Through regular check-ins, reminders, and simple conversations, it provides a way for families to stay connected without needing to be present all the time. This can reduce the feeling of having to constantly ‘check’ or worry about what might be happening day to day.
For carers like Anne Hanscomb, who looks after her father full time, this kind of support can ease the pressure. “It’s really hard to juggle your own life and that of a loved one,” she said. “The to-do list just keeps getting longer and more mundane. Having Sentai to share the load and have a chat with dad, while also marking things off on a checklist I’ve created for it, is very helpful.”
She added: “It means that I can have a conversation with dad without worrying that I’ve missed something important, because I know Sentai will prompt him at the right moment and update me at a time that’s convenient.”
Acting before crisis hits
It’s clear starting conversations earlier and putting support in place before a crisis happens can make a real difference. Early support can help reduce stress for families, prevent avoidable emergencies, and allow older adults to stay independent and at home for longer.
If you would like to explore how Sentai works, say hello and learn more about supporting your loved ones from a distance.
Find out more at: https://sentai.co.uk/pages/how-it-works
Sources:
1 GOV
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