Policymakers and families are taking stock of what worked last year, what didn’t, and what still needs fixing. For millions of aging Americans and their loved ones, the conclusion is the same: aging at home remains the goal, but affordable, flexible in-home support is increasingly difficult to find.
Artificial intelligence is frequently presented as a solution to some of society’s most complex challenges. Used wisely, it can streamline systems and expand access to services. In caregiving, efficiency is no substitute for human connection.
The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry has warned that feelings of sadness and isolation are common among older adults, while depression remains widely underdiagnosed. Studies further link social isolation and loneliness among older adults to increased risks of physical decline, cognitive impairment and mental health challenges.
The ability of a senior to have a long-term caregiver or companion while remaining at home can help mitigate these risks. Unfortunately, high costs, workforce shortages and rigid regulatory frameworks have made in-home support increasingly difficult.
Policymakers and innovators should resist treating artificial intelligence as a substitute for human care. When used well, AI can improve efficiency, expand access to services, and help people navigate increasingly difficult-to-understand systems. It’s not a substitute for human interaction.
Some envision a future in which in-home robots handle daily tasks such as cleaning, cooking and medication reminders. Elon Musk and others have suggested that humanoid robots might one day be used in households for tasks ranging from basic chores to personal care.
Elder care is not a checklist of chores. Its success depends on presence, judgment and empathy, including the ability to recognize when something feels off. Machines cannot provide the reassurance and community that a human connection offers.
Solving the caregiving challenge will require innovation beyond software. One promising model already exists in the State Department’s au pair program, which pairs young people with host families for live-in support. As Independent Women has noted, an au pair–style approach could be adapted for elder care to be flexible, affordable and rooted in human connection.
A limited pilot program on select college campuses, restricted to domestic participants, could pair students with seniors seeking live-in support. Students could provide companionship and help with daily routines while gaining experience and modest compensation. Seniors would benefit from consistent human presence rather than purely technological substitutes.
Intergenerational approaches that link younger adults with older Americans can reduce loneliness and foster a sense of purpose on both sides. They underscore that care is inherently relational and that innovation often means strengthening human connections rather than automating them.
Heather Madden is policy staff director at Independent Women/InsideSources