Nadège Messier
Grand-App AI Oceania
What is Generative AI?
Generative AI is a branch of artificial intelligence that focuses on creating new content, whether it's text, images, audio or other data types, based on patterns it learns from existing data. Unlike traditional AI, which mostly classifies or predicts outcomes, Generative AI can produce entirely new outputs by analysing underlying patterns. It has become common for applications in a variety of fields, from entertainment to healthcare, where it’s being used to generate new insights, content, and solutions.
How is Generative AI being used for personalised care?
In aged care, Generative AI is transforming the delivery of person-centred care by tailoring health solutions to the individual needs of older adults. For example, generative AI systems can analyse large datasets from wearable devices or health records to create individualised care plans. These systems can also automate tasks like medication reminders and vital sign monitoring, and even trigger real-time alerts during emergencies. This allows caregivers to focus more on personal interactions, meaningful engagement and quality care.
Generative AI’s predictive capabilities are one of its most exciting breakthroughs in aged care. It can track behaviour patterns, detect changes and send early warnings for potential health risks, such as falls, cognitive decline, or the worsening of chronic conditions. This proactive approach not only improves health outcomes, but also helps to reduce healthcare costs by preventing emergencies and hospitalisations.
With its holistic approach, Generative AI addresses physical, mental and emotional well-being, helping older adults maintain autonomy and independence for longer. Beyond health monitoring, Generative AI enhances their quality of life through virtual companions and assistants. These AI tools engage in conversations, remind people about medication schedules and even detect emotional changes, providing companionship and health support, as needed. In this way, Generative AI helps to combat loneliness – one of the most common challenges in aged care – by offering therapeutic interventions and personalised content.
For those living independently, these AI-driven solutions offer peace of mind to individuals , family members and caregivers by ensuring safety and comfort.
Generative AI appears to be more than a passing trend in aged care. It plays a pivotal role in predicting health issues, personalising care plans, and preventing potential falls in older adults. AI-powered platforms and wearable devices now allow caregivers to monitor vital health, cognitive and behavioural metrics, ensuring timely intervention by caregivers, families, and medical professionals. This leads to improved care quality, reduces hospital admissions and prevents medical emergencies.
As technology advances, Generative AI is expected to play an increasingly critical role in the future of aged care, offering accessible, efficient and deeply personalised solutions for the ageing population.
*The views and opinions expressed in Knowledge Blogs are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of ARIIA, Flinders University and/or the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.