We're raising alarms about AI companions and what they're doing to teenagers. But when the person holding the device is elderly or living with cognitive decline, that concern seems to quietly disappear. As family caregivers, we deserve to ask the same hard questions about consent, data privacy, and the difference between real connection and simulated connection — regardless of who the technology is being marketed to. This post is not about fear. It's about being a thoughtful, informed consumer of care technology, and demanding that the companies building these products be ready to have that conversation too.

Caregiving technology can increase safety, but sometimes at the cost of privacy and independence. Here’s how to navigate those difficult decisions with clarity and compassion.

Ring’s “Search Party” feature may offer peace of mind, but caregivers should understand the privacy tradeoffs before enabling community-based tracking tools.