Aging in Place Tech Should Work with Caregivers—Not Leave Them Behind

Why Caregiver-Centered Design Is Essential for the Success of Home-Based Aging Technologies

The rise of aging in place has inspired a flood of innovation from the tech world. Smart home devices, remote monitoring systems, medication dispensers, and wearable fall detectors now promise to make it easier and safer for older adults to remain in their homes. But there's a growing disconnect between the promise of technology and the real-world experience of caregivers.

Too often, caregivers—the very people who implement and maintain these tools—are left out of the conversation entirely.

The Problem: Caregiver Tech Fatigue

On paper, eldercare technology looks like a dream:

• Motion sensors that track movement and detect falls

• Smart pill dispensers that remind and release medications

• Wearables that monitor heart rate, sleep, and steps

• Home assistants that respond to voice commands for lights, thermostats, and reminders

But in practice, many caregivers describe a different story:

• Feeling overwhelmed by complex setup instructions

• Not knowing how to interpret data or alerts

• Worrying about false alarms or privacy issues

• Juggling multiple apps or platforms that don’t talk to each other

• Lacking customer support that understands caregiving environments

The result? Useful devices sit unused in drawers. Family caregivers give up out of frustration. Paid caregivers are excluded from decision-making or unable to integrate devices into daily routines. And most importantly, older adults miss out on the intended benefits.

Why Caregiver-Centered Tech Design Matters

Caregivers—both family and professional—are not just bystanders to technology use. They are the people:

• Installing and troubleshooting devices

• Responding to alerts and notifications

• Helping seniors interact with the tools

• Explaining how the tech works to doctors or other family members

• Making real-time decisions based on the information received

If technology doesn't serve caregivers, it doesn't serve seniors.

What Caregiver-Friendly Technology Should Look Like

To support aging in place successfully, tech needs to be designed with caregivers in mind. That means:

✅ Simple, Intuitive Setups

• Devices that work out of the box, with plug-and-play features

• Clear instructions (in plain language, not tech jargon)

• Minimal required maintenance or updates

✅ Built-In Training and Ongoing Support

• Easy-to-access tutorials (video or written)

• Live support lines with real humans trained in eldercare—not just tech support

• Options to include multiple users (family, professional caregivers, doctors)

✅ Unified, Interoperable Platforms

• One dashboard or app to control multiple devices

• Seamless integration with calendars, health records, and alerts

• Compatibility with both iOS and Android, desktop and mobile

✅ Respect for Privacy and Consent

• Transparent privacy policies

• Flexible controls for who sees what data (e.g., adult children, aides, physicians)

• Easy ways to update permissions as needs change

✅ Accessibility Across the Spectrum

• Interfaces usable by seniors with low vision, arthritis, or cognitive decline

• Features that account for varying levels of caregiver tech literacy

• Multilingual and culturally sensitive options

Tech Should Lighten the Load—Not Add to It

The point of smart aging technology is to make life easier and safer. But if it creates more work, confusion, or stress for the people providing the care, it’s not truly helping.

That’s why caregiver-centered design isn’t optional—it’s essential.

When tech tools are chosen collaboratively, introduced thoughtfully, and supported reliably, they can:

• Reduce emergency room visits

• Improve medication adherence

• Increase seniors’ sense of control and security

• Give caregivers peace of mind and relief from constant worry

In other words, technology works best when it partners with the human side of care—not replaces it.

Looking Ahead: A Call to the Tech Industry

We urge innovators, designers, and healthcare systems to ask this simple question:“What would make this easier for the caregiver?”

Because caregivers are not just users. They are stakeholders. They are decision-makers. And they are the bridge between technology and the people it’s meant to serve.

To truly make aging in place a viable, safe, and empowering option, we must build a future where caregivers are not just an afterthought—but the foundation.