Sep 30, 20264 min read

What families really want from care technology

Families are open to care technology, but adoption depends on trust. Our Before the Worry research found nearly four in five (79%) UK adults believe technology could help support an older loved one. The next question is what would make them actually use it.

What would make families say yes?

When we asked what would make people most likely to adopt technology to support an older relative:

Almost a third (31%) wanted a clear benefit for the individual
Three in ten (30%) wanted it to help their loved one remain independent for longer
Three in ten (30%) wanted greater peace of mind for the family
Almost three in ten (28%) said it needed to be simple to introduce into everyday routines

For us, that shows care technology has to solve a recognisable problem without creating another one.

Trust matters just as much as functionality

Families also told us that how technology feels matters.

More than one in five (22%) wanted reassurance that it would not feel intrusive or like surveillance, while one in five (20%) wanted confidence that sensitive personal and health information would remain secure.

Support should not feel like somebody is being watched. It should help them continue doing things for themselves while giving family reassurance when they cannot be there.

Peter Otto, CEO of Sentai, said:

“One of the biggest reasons technology designed to support older people has struggled to gain traction is that too much of it has been built around monitoring people rather than supporting them.

“The research shows people want something different. They want technology that solves real problems and fits naturally into existing routines without making them feel like they’re being watched.

“The digital care solutions that succeed will be the ones that quietly support people’s independence, rather than asking them to change the way they live.”

That is why Sentai uses simple voice interaction rather than asking somebody to learn a new app or navigate a complex device. Families can set reminders and prompts through the Sentai app, while support is delivered conversationally in the home.

Watch the video: Emily and Jeans story

Technology should fit around people

Wider research from the National Institute for Health and Care Research has found that assistive technology can help older people manage health conditions, stay connected and continue living independently, while also supporting family carers with everyday routines.

But technology only works if people actually want to use it.

Anne Hanscomb, who uses Sentai to support her father, describes the difference practical support can make:

“Having Sentai to share the load and have a chat with dad whilst also marking things off on a checklist you’ve created for it is very helpful.”

For us, that captures what useful care technology should do: fit into existing life and make support feel easier, rather than adding another system for somebody to manage.

Independence should stay at the centre

One of the clearest findings from our research was that more than three quarters (76%) of people would accept support sooner if it meant they could remain living at home for longer.

That matters because support and independence are not opposites.

The best technology should help somebody keep doing as much as possible for themselves, while giving families reassurance that support is there when it is needed.

The technology that succeeds will not necessarily be the technology with the longest list of features.

It will be the technology that people trust enough to make part of everyday life.