Can an app help lonely seniors?

An app like Elsy can help with reminders, medicines and life stories, and be good company when no one else is around. It doesn't take loneliness away, and a conversation with Elsy doesn't replace time with other people. But it can be there alongside the time you spend with family, friends and your community.

Many older adults feel lonely. In the UK, Age UK estimates that 7 percent of people 65 and older, around 940,000 people, are often lonely. Some people look to technology for help, such as Elsy, an AI companion you can talk with. Here's what an app like that can do, and where its limits are.

What is a senior assistance app?

A senior assistance app is made to help older adults with daily life, with features like reminders or having your life stories written down. Apps like Elsy can help you keep track of your daily activities and medicines, and they give you someone to talk to.

How does a senior assistance app work?

These apps use AI to understand what you need. They can set up reminders, and Elsy also writes down what you tell her about your life as life stories after the conversation. You just talk. Say "Remind me about my exercise class on Wednesday at 10," and the reminder arrives as a notification on your phone when it's time.

Can an app help with loneliness?

Loneliness can creep in, especially when your family lives far away. In the US, more than one in four adults aged 65 to 80 say they sometimes or often lack companionship, according to a 2024 study in JAMA. An app like Elsy gives you someone to talk to at any hour, day or night, and she can help with daily tasks too. You just open the app and start talking.

But an app doesn't take loneliness away. A large review of research on technology and loneliness among older adults found that technology can help people feel more connected, especially when it helps them keep up the relationships they already have. It also found that the evidence is weak. A conversation with Elsy doesn't replace time with other people, but it can be good company when no one else is around.

In the UK, Age UK runs friendship services for older people. Many local Age UK branches offer befriending, where a volunteer visits you at home, and Age UK and The Silver Line offer free friendship calls by phone. Read more about whether loneliness is bad for your health, including free services in the US and the UK.

Why time with other people matters

Time with other people can support your mental health and lower the risk of serious health problems, according to the WHO. Elsy is not a person, and she doesn't replace that time with others.

Conversations with Elsy can still help keep your mind active, and she can make it easier to stay in touch with your family, for example when you send them your life stories.

Traditional aids and AI apps compared

Traditional aids, like phones and personal emergency alarms, are mostly about safety. AI assistance apps like Elsy have a wider range of features. But Elsy is not an alarm and can't call for help, so she doesn't replace a personal emergency alarm. Besides keeping track of appointments and medicines, Elsy can help keep your mind active through conversation. Read more about what helps when you live alone.

What AI assistance can add

An AI app can feel more personal than a traditional aid. Elsy remembers what you tell her and learns the words you teach her, like a word from your local dialect, so your conversations can get more personal over time. Elsy doesn't call you or start a conversation herself, but if you'd like an idea for something to talk about, she can send you Today's question as a notification.

Where Elsy fits in if you feel lonely

Elsy is an AI companion who listens when you want to talk and helps with your daily routines. With reminders for your medicines and the option to share your life stories, she can be one part of a meaningful day. Read more about having someone to talk to.

Your own life story

Elsy can help you write down what you've lived through. After you've told her about your life, she writes the story up with your own words as quotes. You can share your stories with your family, which can bring the generations closer. See how life stories with Elsy work.

What should you look for in a senior assistance app?

When you choose one, think about how comfortable you are with technology, what the app can do and whether your family can be part of it. Think about privacy and security too. Get more advice on how to choose an AI app you can trust.

Privacy and security

Choose an app that protects your personal data and has clear policies on how information is stored and shared. With Elsy, your conversations are recorded and stored securely so she can remember what you tell her, and your stored data is hosted in the EU. So that Elsy can hear you, answer and remember, what you say is processed by AI services in the United States. We never sell your personal data, and we don't use it to train general-purpose AI models. Your family never sees transcripts or recordings of your conversations, apart from the life stories you send them, which contain your own words and may include short excerpts of your voice. What else they see depends on their level in Your circle. Read more in our privacy policy.

How to get started

Download Elsy from the App Store or Google Play, open the app and tap Talk to Elsy. Tell her about your day, or about something from years ago. You can try Elsy free for 3 days on your own phone. See how Elsy works step by step.

Frequently asked questions

Can Elsy keep me company when I feel lonely?

Elsy can be good company when no one else is around, but she's not a person, and a conversation with Elsy doesn't replace time with other people. You can talk with her every day, and she helps you keep up your routines with conversation and reminders.

How is Elsy different from other assistance apps?

Elsy is made for older adults. You can talk with her about anything, she helps with your daily routines, and she can write down your life stories so you can share them with your family.

Can my family be part of it?

Yes. Your family can read the life stories you send them, and depending on their level in Your circle, they can also get updates on how you're doing. The levels range from Stories only, where they see only the stories you send, to Full trust, where they also see what Elsy remembers about you. If you set Elsy up yourself, you choose the level for each person. If a family member set Elsy up and gave consent on your behalf, everyone in your circle is at Full trust.

This is general information, not medical advice. Every situation is different, so talk to a doctor about yours.