Experts reveal growing public support for use of AI in elderly care as innovative care service launched

How ActiveAlert Uses AI to Transform Elderly Care

ActiveAlert represents a fundamental shift from traditional reactive care to proactive monitoring. The service analyses 30 years of personal alarm call data to establish baseline usage patterns for each individual. By continuously monitoring changes in the frequency, timing, or nature of alarm calls, the AI algorithm can identify subtle shifts that may indicate emerging health or wellbeing concerns. When anomalies are detected, the system triggers a wellbeing check-in call to assess the situation before it potentially escalates into an emergency requiring hospital admission.

This approach moves beyond simply providing a way to call for help after a fall or health decline. Instead, it creates an early warning system that enables families and carers to intervene at the first signs of trouble. For example, if an older person who rarely uses their alarm suddenly begins pressing it more frequently during nighttime hours, this could signal increased anxiety, confusion, or physical discomfort that warrants attention. The technology thus transforms the personal alarm from a passive emergency tool into an active health monitoring device.

Taking Care developed ActiveAlert through its IT apprenticeship scheme, demonstrating how investing in homegrown technological talent can yield innovative solutions for pressing social challenges. The service integrates seamlessly with existing Taking Care alarm systems, requiring no additional hardware for current customers while being offered at no extra cost to new subscribers.

Public Attitudes Toward AI in Elderly Care

Research commissioned by Taking Care and conducted among 2,009 UK adults in September 2024 reveals significant openness to technological solutions in elderly care. The findings show that while only 26% of people feel they have sufficient time to provide round-the-clock care for older relatives, a substantial 64% express concern about their elderly family members living alone. This gap between concern and available time creates a clear opportunity for technology to bridge the care divide.

Most notably, 76% of respondents indicated they would support the use of AI if it enhances health and independence for older adults, while 72% believe technological innovations can genuinely support health and wellbeing. These figures suggest that public acceptance of AI in care settings is growing, particularly when the technology is framed as a tool to maintain independence rather than replace human interaction. The research indicates that families are increasingly recognising that technology can complement rather than substitute for personal care.

This shifting attitude aligns with broader demographic pressures. With more than 3.2 million people aged 80 and above in the UK – and NHS data indicating that half of this group will likely experience at least one fall annually – the strain on health services and informal carers is becoming unsustainable without innovative approaches.

Addressing the Challenges of an Ageing Population

The UK's ageing population presents significant challenges for both families and public services. Taking Care estimates that reactive elderly care – waiting for emergencies like falls or serious health declines before intervening – could be costing the health service over £350 million annually when accounting for A&E triage and overnight hospital stays. This figure highlights the economic incentive for preventive approaches that ActiveAlert aims to provide.

The service also specifically supports the 'sandwich generation' – estimated at over 10 million informal carers in the UK who simultaneously care for ageing parents while managing their own work and family responsibilities. These individuals often struggle to check on elderly relatives regularly due to geographical distance, work commitments, or lifestyle constraints. ActiveAlert offers reassurance by providing objective data on alarm usage patterns that can indicate when additional support might be needed, even when family members cannot be physically present.

For users like Amanda Amory from Cambridgeshire, whose 85-year-old father Ron uses the service, the value extends beyond practical monitoring to emotional reassurance. Amanda notes that while the alarm initially served to alert the family to physical issues when her father was more mobile, it has evolved into a 'comfort blanket' that provides peace of mind knowing help is accessible at any time. The ability to detect changes in nighttime alarm usage, for instance, helps the family better understand Ron's mental wellbeing alongside his physical safety.

The Business Case for Proactive Care Technology

From a business perspective, Taking Care's innovation demonstrates how established service providers can leverage their historical data assets to create new value propositions. The company's three decades of alarm call data formed the foundation for developing ActiveAlert's predictive algorithms, turning what was once merely operational information into a sophisticated health monitoring tool. This approach exemplifies how organisations in the care sector can monetise their expertise while addressing societal needs.

The decision to offer ActiveAlert at no additional cost to new customers reflects a strategic choice to prioritise widespread adoption and social impact over immediate revenue generation. By removing financial barriers, Taking Care aims to maximise the service's potential to reduce emergency interventions and associated healthcare costs. This model could influence how other care technology providers approach pricing and accessibility.

Taking Care's position as a Which? approved personal alarm service and trusted provider of the Age Co Personal Alarm Service lends credibility to its technological innovations. With approximately 250 staff and a track record of resolving nearly 50,000 customer emergencies annually, the company has the operational scale and trust necessary to introduce new technologies successfully to a cautious market.

What this means

Taking Care's ActiveAlert service exemplifies how thoughtful application of AI and big data can address pressing societal challenges in elderly care. By transforming personal alarms from reactive emergency tools into proactive health monitoring systems, the innovation offers tangible benefits for older adults seeking to maintain independence, families desiring peace of mind, and health services aiming to reduce preventable emergencies. The strong public support revealed in Taking Care's research suggests that the market is ready for such technological advancements, particularly when they are designed to complement rather than replace human care. As the UK continues to grapple with an ageing population, solutions like ActiveAlert that leverage existing infrastructure and data assets while prioritising accessibility may represent a viable path forward for sustainable, dignified elderly care that supports both independence and family wellbeing.