Marion, OH (Feb. 25, 2025) United Church Homes (UCH) and MIT AgeLab have new research highlighting caregivers’ reliance on technology and their cautious interest in artificial intelligence (AI) as a support tool. The Caregiver Technology Survey, conducted among 192 current and 176 former caregivers, sheds light on how caregivers are integrating technology into their caregiving routines and their level of trust in AI-driven solutions.
Caregivers and Technology: What Are They Using?
The survey found that caregivers are already adopting a variety of digital tools to assist in caregiving. The most commonly used technologies among current caregivers include:
- Health & fitness metric trackers – 47% report currently using for caregiving.
- Digital assistants or smart speakers – 42%.
- Fall detection/alert services – 34%.
- Home monitoring and security systems – 31%.
- Smart home utilities & energy systems – 30%.
Despite this adoption, certain caregiving technologies remain underutilized, such as medication management platforms (10% report currently using for caregiving), smart home appliances (20%), and conversational chatbots (17%).
AI in Caregiving: Cautious Optimism
When it comes to AI, most caregivers expressed a mix of interest and hesitation:
- 88% said they would trust AI answers with some hesitation.
- Only 3% would fully trust AI for caregiving information.
- And only 5% expressed complete distrust in AI answers, while another 5% were unsure.
Michael Hughes
“The findings underscore the need for caregiver-centered innovation, where technology enhances caregiving without replacing human connection,” said Michael Hughes, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Transformation and Innovation Officer. “Caregivers are eager for tools that simplify their responsibilities, but they remain skeptical about fully handing over decision-making to AI.”
Human Connection at the Core of Caregiving Support
This research reinforces UCH’s commitment to balancing technology and human touch in caregiving. This approach is deeply embedded in its NaviGuide service coordination model, which serves at-need older adults by connecting them to needed health, wellness and social service resources in their community.
Terry Spitznagel
“NaviGuide’s model is built on a deep understanding that true engagement happens through human-to-human interactions,” said Terry Spitznagel, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer. “Compassion for caregivers and their loved ones is the cornerstone of our program’s success, addressing a critical gap in the aging journey of older adults. While authentic engagement relies on personal connection rather than automation, we strategically leverage AI to manage background operations—such as scheduling, data management, and logistics—allowing us to dedicate more time to what truly matters: delivering genuine care and compassion.”
Building the Future of Caregiving Technology
As UCH continues to explore ways to support older adults and their caregivers, this research serves as a roadmap for designing technology solutions that are practical, trustworthy, and easy to integrate into daily caregiving routines.
“Our research with the MIT AgeLab highlights that while caregivers are open to technology, they need solutions that are intuitive, reliable, and designed with their real-world challenges in mind,” said Hughes. “The next step is ensuring that these innovations truly meet their needs.”
For more information about this research or United Church Homes’ commitment to caregiver support, contact us at [email protected].
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For more than a century, United Church Homes has been dedicated to transforming the lives of older adults with quality housing and compassionate care. Now recognized as the 19th largest multisite nonprofit senior living organization in the U.S., according to the 2024 LeadingAge Ziegler 200 ranking, UCH proudly serves nearly 7,000 residents across more than 90 vibrant communities in 15 states and two Native American nations. Driven by a mission to redefine aging, UCH creates a culture of community, wholeness and peace for those it has the honor to serve. As a founding member of Radiant Alliance, United Church Homes continues to lead the way in shaping the future of senior living.
About the Author: Ashley Bills
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