West Palm Beach - October 2025

O C T O B E R 2 0 2 5 | W E S T PA L M B E A C H 15 AI, Loneliness and Home Health Care - By Craig Glover, President, A Better Way Home Care - T he Harvard Business Review recently published an interesting article about the Top 10 uses in 2025 for generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), i.e., ChatGPT, etc. What do you guess the number one consumer use of AI is in 2025? You might be surprised to learn that the number one consumer use of AI is Therapy/Companionship. AI is providing emotional support and guidance, helping users to cope with their daily struggles and life challenges. For the purpose of this article, I'll focus mainly on Companionship/Socialization. Many elderly people struggle with dementia, depression, and anxiety. However, just plain old loneliness is very unhealthy. Most of the hundreds of clients that my home health care agency has served have lived alone. In fact, loneliness on its own is a public health crisis. • "Loneliness may be a bigger public health risk than smoking or obesity“ – Governing.com • An analysis of 70 studies and 3.4MM people found that living alone can be more harmful than obesity. • “Weak social connection can shorten a person's life by 15 years, roughly the same impact as smoking 15 cigarettes per day." - 2010 BYU Study • "Greater social connection corresponds with a 50 percent decrease in the risk of early death." - 2017 American Psychological Association COMMUNITY Sowhat doesHomeHealthCare have to dowithAI, Companionship/ Socialization, and Loneliness? My family's independent home health care agency is mission- driven and offers personalized care for each client. For example, a Registered Nurse makes a home visit to assess each client's condition, determine needs, and evaluate the home for safety, etc. A Care Plan is developed to identify each client's needs, i.e., bathing, dressing, cooking, light housekeeping, toileting, fall prevention, respite care, etc. Importantly, we also consult with the client and any available family about his/her likes, dislikes, interests, hobbies, and more. This helps us to identify a caregiver who is the right personality fit. We know that the ability of our caregivers to complete daily care plan tasks, while connecting with each client in an empathetic, loving, and compassionate way, is essential to improving their quality of life. Our mission is to provide care and love that help each client to live at home happy and healthy, while reducing stress on the family. Please look out for your family members, neighbors, friends, and others who are suffering from a lack of companionship/ socialization and need home health care services. You may refer them to my team at A Better Way Home Care at 561-202-1266 for care and connection - http://abetterwayhc.net/. W e serve Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties.