Keywords
Shanghai
Aging population
Internet of Things
Artificial intelligence
Digital divide
Submitted : 2026-01-25
Accepted : 2026-02-09
Published : 2026-02-24
Abstract
This paper systematically analyzes the development status, challenges, and future pathways of smart elderly care in Shanghai. As one of the cities with the most severe aging populations in China, Shanghai faces significant challenges such as a surge in chronic disease management demands and difficulties in the integration of healthcare and elderly care services. Research indicates that Shanghai has established a development framework led by the government with multi-stakeholder participation, applying technologies such as IoT monitoring, AI-based early warning systems, and big data analytics in home-based, community-based, and institutional elderly care. Key technologies include real-time fall detection algorithms (with an accuracy of 89.99%), voice emotion recognition systems, and positioning systems, which have effectively optimized medical resource allocation and improved care efficiency. However, the development of smart elderly care still faces challenges: inconsistent technical standards leading to system compatibility issues, prominent risks in elderly privacy protection and data security, the digital divide limiting service acceptance among the elderly, and a lag in the training system for professional caregivers. To address these issues, the study recommends strengthening policy support and financial investment, promoting interdisciplinary technology integration and innovation, and building a nationwide smart elderly care ecosystem. This paper argues that by improving technical standards, bridging the digital divide, and enhancing talent cultivation, smart elderly care will become a crucial strategic pathway to address the challenges of an aging population. Shanghai’s experience provides valuable insights for the development of smart elderly care across the country.
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