Many Older Americans Looking to AI for In-Home Care

The Retirement Institute of Nationwide Insurance and the market research association LIMRA jointly conducted a 2023 survey that found slightly more than one-third of Americans believe artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics will provide their in-home long-term care when it is needed. The survey saw 35% of Americans willing to accept help from a robot for activities such as toileting, dressing, and transferring. Nearly the same percentage said they would talk to robots if they are feeling lonely. A larger percentage — 48% — say they would share their medical history with AI. Not surprisingly, when the statistics are broken down by age groups, Gen Xers and millennials, born mid 60s and early 80s, respectively, express higher acceptance of AI/robot-assisted care compared to baby boomers. Nationwide Insurance is testing eldercare robots in the homes of select policyholders in an effort to assess if such technology can increase the potential for policyholders to age in their home. The president of Nationwide’s life insurance business said, “As we continue to see advancements in AI and an uptick in consumer adoption, AI and robotics could permanently change how people receive their long-term care and provide them more opportunity to safely remain independent for longer.”