If you’ve started thinking about how to help an elderly parent or relative stay safe and independent at home, you might have come across the term “assistive technology devices” during your research… and possibly felt a bit overwhelmed by it. The good news? It’s less complicated than it sounds – and it might be exactly what your family needs.
Ask most people where they would like to live when they’re older, and the answer is usually the same: to stay in their own home, manage their own lives, and not be a burden on their family. In fact, our own research shows 26% of people plan to stay at home with care support during later life. Assistive technology devices are a practical way of making that more achievable.
Put simply, assistive technology devices refer to tools designed to help people live safely, confidently and independently at home. That can range from simple reminder systems to voice-enabled technologies that support everyday routines and help families stay connected.
A large-scale review of smart home and assistive technology devices found that these tools can increase independence, improve self-management and reduce reliance on formal care for older people living at home. All of which suggests it may be worth exploring assistive tech devices sooner rather than later.
- What counts as assistive technology devices?
- What's the difference between telecare and assistive technology devices?
- How can assistive technology devices help you to plan ahead?
- Will assistive technology devices make my parent feel less independent?
- How do assistive technology devices support day-to-day life?
- Can assistive technology devices help when I don't live nearby?
- How can assistive technology devices work alongside other support systems?
What counts as assistive technology devices?
Assistive technology devices are an umbrella term for tools that help someone live safely and independently at home. Some of it is designed for emergencies, but a lot of it is focused on everyday routines and keeping families connected.
Examples include:
- Medication reminders
- Voice prompts that support daily structure
- Sensors or alerts that flag changes in usual activity
- Tools that make it easier to stay in touch with family
Many families end up combining a few of these to create a set-up that works for their personal situation. Increasingly, tools such as Sentai, an easy-to-use voice assistant, are designed to bring several of these features together in one place, combining personalised reminders, daily structure and easier ways for families to stay connected, whilst also offer day to day companionship, reducing loneliness and isolation.
What's the difference between telecare and assistive technology devices?
These terms are often used interchangeably, but they’re not quite the same thing.
Telecare is typically the first port of call. It includes equipment like personal alarms, fall detectors and emergency call systems – things designed to alert someone if help is needed. These are often introduced after a specific health event and focus on achieving a rapid response if something should happen again.
Assistive technology devices have a broader remit. Rather than responding only when something goes wrong, it supports your loved one’s everyday life by helping to keep their routine on track, their communication with family flowing, their confidence high and their connections with the people they love intact. It is unobtrusive and works in the background, quietly helping your parent or relative manage their day and supporting independence.
How can assistive technology devices help you to plan ahead?
Planning ahead by investing in assistive technology devices doesn’t mean you’re expecting the worst to happen. It just means you’re making small decisions now that can make everything easier later down the line. Introducing unobtrusive support for your parent’s everyday routine can help them stay independent for longer, and it gives them (and you) time to work out what feels comfortable.
Some simple starting points to help you start planning ahead might include:
- Setting up regular check-in routines
- Introducing reminder systems for medication or appointments
- Exploring local community support options
- Looking into assistive technology devices that add a bit of everyday structure
Will assistive technology devices make my parent feel less independent?
In reality, the opposite tends to be true. When assistive technology devices are introduced gradually and tailored to the individual, it can actually help someone feel more in control of their own life. Familiar routines, gentle reminders and predictable contact with family can all support a sense of confidence rather than undermining it.
Research backs this up too. A qualitative 2025 study suggests that family members often value tools that provide reassurance and help them feel connected. For families supporting someone from a distance, that quiet confidence – knowing things are ticking along normally – can make an enormous difference to daily life.
How do assistive technology devices support day-to-day life?
Daily routines matter more than we realise, especially for older people living alone. Small, familiar habits create structure and predictability and assistive technology devices are increasingly designed to support those habits rather than disrupt them.
That might look like:
- A prompt to take medication at the right time
- A reminder to stay hydrated or have something to eat
- Encouragement before an appointment or regular activity
- Timely prompts to move and take some gentle exercise
Can assistive technology devices help when I don't live nearby?
Read Anne’s full Sentai review.
How can assistive technology devices work alongside other support systems?
Technology works best as part of a wider ecosystem. Telecare remains important for keeping someone safe if a health crisis does occur. Assistive technology devices add a layer of everyday support, routine and connection. And neither replaces the value of family contact, community and practical help.
Together, though, they can give older people more confidence in their independence – and give families the peace of mind to step back from constant worry and focus on just being there.
- Sentai, Before the worry: The hidden crisis of loneliness in elderly relatives living alone, January 2026.
- Southern Gerontological Society, Adoption of Smart Home Technologies, May 2025.
- Journal of Advanced Nursing, Smart Home Technologies for Enhancing Independence of Living and Reducing Care Dependence in Older Adults, October 2024.
If you’re still curious as to why Sentai is so helpful for older people, as well as other ways to mitigate loneliness in your loved one, be sure to check out our other article on reducing loneliness in later life.
This article was written in association with Sentai
