We explore how AI technology is transforming long-distance caregiving and helping people age in place safely. The emotional burden of caring from afar creates a unique kind of burnout that technology might help alleviate.
• The current "reactive model" of caregiving leaves families scrambling after emergencies have already occurred
• AI systems like Addison can learn daily routines and detect subtle changes that might indicate emerging problems
• These technologies provide real-time dashboards for remote caregivers, offering peace of mind and concrete information
• Unlike cold monitoring devices, AI companions speak with seniors, providing companionship and reducing isolation
• Technology doesn't replace human caregiving—it reinforces it by extending our reach and making care more informed
How might AI-assisted caregiving shift our understanding of independence for older adults, and what new roles might open up for family caregivers managing from afar?
Episode Transcript
Welcome to the Deep Dive.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
Glad to be here.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
So today we're tackling something really
important caring for loved oneswhen you can't physically be
there Long distance caregiving.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
It's a huge issue, yeah, growing all the time.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
We've got an interesting source today, an
episode summary titled theFuture of Caregiving Isn't Human
or Robot, it's Both.
It introduces a technologycalled Addison.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Right Addison.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
And our mission here isn't just a surface look.
We want to really dig into howAI like this might proactively
help people age in place and,frankly, maybe ease the burden
on families who are far away.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Okay, let's unpack that.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Yeah.
So starting point, this realityof long-distance care.
It's not just logistics, is it?
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Not at all.
I mean, the logistics are tough.
Sure, coordinating doctors,meds, whatever from another city
or state.
But the summary touches on theemotional weight.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
The worry.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Exactly that constant sort of low level anxiety,
wondering if they're OK, ifsomething's happened.
It's a different kind ofburnout than just physical
exhaustion.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
Right, and that ties into how care often works now
with what somebody callsreactive.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Yeah, the reactive model.
Something happens, a fall,maybe an ER visit, and then
everyone scrambles to react, toput support in place.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
But the damage, or at least the scare, has already
happened, which is where thisidea of being more preventative
comes in.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
How do we get ahead of that?
How do we shift from justresponding to problems to, you
know, actually anticipating themor maybe even preventing some
things altogether?
Speaker 1 (01:31):
And that's the pitch for Addison, according to the
summary.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
Seems like it.
It's framed as this AI-assistedsystem designed specifically
for that proactive support foraging in place safely like an
extra layer of observation.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
Okay.
So how does it do that?
How does an AI spot risks earlyon?
The summary mentions detectingrisks.
What does that actually mean?
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Well, based on the description, it sounds like it
learns the person's routines,daily life patterns, and then it
looks for significant changes.
Maybe someone's spending wayless time in the kitchen than
usual.
Could that indicate they're noteating properly?
Or maybe mobility is becomingan issue?
Speaker 1 (02:09):
So it's looking for those subtle shifts things.
A quick phone call might miss.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Exactly those small things that could be early
warnings.
The idea is catching thembefore they turn into a crisis.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
And for the family member who's say across the
country.
The summary mentions dashboards.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Real-time dashboards, yeah that sounds like a key
feature for the remote caregiver, giving them a way to check in,
get some peace of mind maybe.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
So it's not just guessing, you have some actual
information.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Right.
It provides a window into theday-to-day.
Potentially, Instead of justrelying on those maybe weekly
calls and hoping everything'sfine, it could ease some of that
constant worry we talked about.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
But it's not just data points and graphs, right?
Something really jumped out atme Addison speaks with, not just
to your loved one.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
That's crucial.
Yeah, it highlights that thisisn't meant to be just a cold
monitoring device in the corner.
Speaker 1 (03:00):
It interacts.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
It interacts.
That suggests a focus on wellhuman connection, companionship,
engagement, maybe reducingisolation, not just being a
fancy alarm system.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
Which feels much more holistic.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Definitely it acknowledges the person
receiving care is well a person,not just a set of potential
risks to track.
Speaker 1 (03:17):
So, wrapping this up, what's the big takeaway here?
It seems like it's not aboutrobots replacing people.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
No, absolutely not.
I think the summary puts itreally well Technology doesn't
replace care, it reinforces it.
Reinforces it yeah.
Tools like Addison, if theywork as described, could enhance
human caregiving.
They can extend our reach,especially over distance.
They can provide insights.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
Making human care potentially more effective, more
informed.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Exactly, it's about augmenting our ability to
support each other.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
A really interesting way to think about how tech fits
into, you know, fundamentalhuman needs like connection and
safety.
Ok, so a final thought for you,the listener how might
integrating AI like this intocaregiving actually shift our
whole understanding ofindependence for older adults,
and what new roles might open upfor family caregivers,
(04:09):
especially those managing thingsfrom afar?
Something to mull over.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Definitely food for thought.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
Thanks for diving deep with us today.
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