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Stefan Radau

Artificial Intelligence as support for mental health: Emotional loneliness & AI


Pepper

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend Partnerstwo 2024 in Warsaw - an exciting event where the latest developments in technology and innovations in the ERP field were discussed. While many participants focused on increasing efficiency and automation through Artificial Intelligence (AI), another, more personal question came to mind: How can AI support mental health? Especially in the context of caring for older people, who often suffer from loneliness, AI could make a real difference.


Emotional Loneliness and Mental Health: A Growing Problem


Loneliness, especially among older people, is an issue that our society often underestimates. Statistics from 2023 show that 42% of people over 65 in Germany live in single households. This means that almost half of this age group may be at increased risk of social isolation. Loneliness is not just a temporary, unpleasant experience, but a serious health risk.


Studies have shown that chronic loneliness is associated with a higher risk of depression, anxiety disorders and even physical illness. Feeling socially isolated can lead to cognitive impairment, weakened immune systems and cardiovascular disease. For many older people, this isolation becomes a constant companion, putting a strain on both their physical and mental health.

While human contact is irreplaceable, I wonder if AI technologies could play a complementary role to alleviate this loneliness and provide mental support to older people.


How could AI help?


AI is already well established in many areas - be it in the automation of processes or the analysis of large amounts of data. But how could AI play a role in care, especially when it comes to emotional support and dealing with loneliness?


One approach could be the development of AI-powered virtual companions. These technologies could aim to support the elderly not only physically but also emotionally. The idea is that AI systems could conduct everyday conversations, provide reminders to complete tasks, or even simulate social interactions - tasks that are usually performed by family members or caregivers.


Virtual Assistants and Chatbots: Social Interaction through Technology


One fascinating use of AI is the development of virtual assistants or companion chatbots designed specifically for older people. These systems could act as conversation partners and structure the everyday lives of their users. One example is ElliQ, an interactive robot that already serves as a digital companion for older people in the USA. ElliQ can not only conduct simple conversations, but also play music, send reminders and initiate social interactions.


For many older people who live alone, such a virtual companion could alleviate loneliness by making them feel less isolated. Initial studies suggest that people who interact with virtual assistants experience positive changes in their emotional state. These systems could also be programmed to promote social contact by encouraging regular calls with family members or friends.


Emotion recognition: early detection of mental crises


Another promising application area is emotion recognition through AI. With the help of sensors and algorithms, AI can now analyze emotional states based on facial expressions, tone of voice and speech patterns. This ability could be invaluable, especially in the care of older people, as it could help caregivers to recognize psychological stress at an early stage.

Emotion recognition could help identify subtle signs of depression, anxiety or loneliness that are often not immediately apparent in older people. By continuously monitoring emotional wellbeing, such systems could raise the alarm in time and inform caregivers or relatives before the mental crisis escalates. This could not only lead to better care, but also prevent serious mental health problems.


Personalized care: AI as individual support


Every person has different emotional and social needs, especially as they get older. This is where AI could make a further contribution by developing individually tailored care plans. Using data analysis, AI could monitor a person's daily behavior and respond to it in a targeted manner. For example, an AI system could recognize when a person is alone for a long time or shows unusual behavior patterns, such as changes in sleeping habits or a lack of social contact.

In so-called smart homes, sensors in the rooms could determine whether a person is exercising regularly, socializing, or getting enough rest. This data could then be used to support caregivers or alert the user to the need for more social interaction. Such a personalized approach could significantly improve the emotional well-being of older people while promoting their independence.


The future of care: AI as a complement, not a replacement


It remains to be said that AI in care should be seen primarily as a complementary support. Human contact is and will remain irreplaceable, especially when it comes to mental health. Social interactions with family members, friends and caregivers still play a central role in the lives of older people. But given the nursing shortage and the growing number of older people living alone, AI can be a valuable aid in filling gaps in care and reducing emotional loneliness.

However, it would be naive to believe that AI can be the solution to all problems in care. Instead, we should focus on the synergy between humans and technology. AI systems can relieve the burden on caregivers by taking over routine tasks or acting as additional support. But they can also help reduce social isolation and promote mental well-being - all without replacing personal human contact.


Challenges and ethical considerations


Despite the promising prospects, there are also challenges that should not be ignored. One of the biggest questions is how to ensure data protection and privacy in an environment where sensitive information about a person's emotional and physical well-being is collected. Since AI systems rely on large amounts of data, it is important to ensure that users' privacy remains protected.

In addition, there are ethical considerations surrounding the role of AI in care. Can a machine really provide emotional support, or is there a risk that by using AI we will further isolate older people by replacing human interaction with technology? It will be crucial to use these technologies wisely, ensuring that they always serve as a complement to human care, not a replacement.


Conclusion: AI as an opportunity for the care of older people


The discussion about artificial intelligence in care opens up new opportunities to support both the physical and emotional needs of older people. While attending Partnerstwo 2024 in Warsaw, I learned a lot about the technical and economic benefits of AI, but for me the question remains how we can use this technology to improve people's emotional well-being.


It remains to be seen how AI will evolve in the coming years. But one thing is certain: AI has the potential to play a crucial role in care - not only through efficiency and automation, but also by promoting human touch and emotional support. The key is to find the right balance between human care and technological assistance.


Sources:

  1. Federal Statistical Office, 2023 - Households of older people in Germany: https://www.destatis.de/DE/Themen/Gesellschaft-Umwelt/Bevoelkerung/Haushalte-Familien

  2. German Society for Ageing Research - Loneliness and Health in Old Age: https://www.dg-altersforschung.de/einsamkeit-alter-studie

  3. McKinsey Global Institute - The Role of AI in Healthcare and Elderly Care: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare-systems-and-services/our-insights/ai-in-healthcare


Important note : This blog entry is based on my personal thoughts and does not constitute professional advice. If you have psychological or emotional problems, you should seek professional support.

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