Smart Elderly Care in the Digital Age

Dear Colleagues,

Global population aging is accelerating at an unprecedented pace: by 2050, the number of people aged 60 and above will reach 2.1 billion, placing immense pressure on health and social care systems worldwide. Digital technologies—such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics—offer promising solutions to support independent living, enhance the quality of care, and alleviate caregiver burdens. However, a persistent gap remains between technological potential and real-world adoption: less than one-third of older adults regularly use health applications, highlighting a fundamental disconnect between innovation and human needs.

Around the world, a paradigm shift is underway as nations strive to support "aging in place"—the preferred living arrangement for the vast majority of older adults. This immense demand is driving rapid innovation in the global "Silver Economy," spurring the development of integrated technologies, from AI-powered wearables that improve disease detection to companion robots capable of emotional interaction. Yet, this global technological transformation is accompanied by complex, universal challenges. Issues such as technological solutionism, fragmented data systems, algorithmic bias, privacy concerns, and the widening digital divide threaten to leave vulnerable populations behind.

This Special Issue aims to present cutting-edge research on smart elderly care from a global perspective. We invite scholars worldwide to contribute interdisciplinary studies on topics including AI-driven health monitoring, social robotics, smart home environments, data governance, user acceptance, policy frameworks, and ethical dimensions. By fostering international and cross-cultural dialogue, we seek to strengthen the theoretical foundations and practical solutions necessary for dignified, equitable, and sustainable aging in the digital era.

Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to, the following:

• AI-Driven Assistive Technologies for Daily Living: Intelligent systems and robotic devices supporting mobility, feeding, and personal care for older adults with varying levels of dependency.
• AI Ethics and Governance in Elderly Care: Algorithmic fairness, privacy protection, informed consent, and ethical frameworks for deploying AI among vulnerable aging populations.
• Intelligent Assistive Devices and Smart Environments: Wearables, ambient assisted living technologies, IoT-enabled homes, and exoskeletons that enhance safety and independence.
• The Evolving Role of Social Workers in AI-Mediated Care: Human–AI collaboration models, workforce transformation, training needs, and the changing nature of caregiving professions.
• AI's Value and Functional Positioning in Integrated Care: How AI facilitates coordination across health and social care systems, enabling seamless, person-centered service delivery.
• Typical Cases and Best Practices in AI-Supported Elderly Care: Empirical studies, pilot projects, and scalable models demonstrating successful technology adoption in diverse care settings.
• Human-centered Design and Technology Acceptance: User experiences, digital literacy, and factors influencing adoption among older adults and care professionals.
• AI for Cognitive Health and Emotional Support: Companion robots, conversational agents, and digital interventions addressing dementia, loneliness, and mental well-being.
• Data Integration and Interoperability in Smart Care Systems: Overcoming "information islands" to enable data sharing across platforms while ensuring security and privacy.
• Policy, Regulation, and standardization for AI in aging Societies: Governance frameworks, quality assurance, and international standards guiding responsible innovation.

For consideration in this journal, please submit your abstracts and any questions to the Special Issue Guest Editors by June 30, 2026. Notification of acceptance will be provided by July 30, 2026. Final papers are due for peer review on November 30, 2026.

Dr. Qingyun Peng
Dr. Wei Shi
Dr. Yufeng Zhao
Guest Editors

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