As longevity becomes a realistic goal for more people, the way societies care for older adults is increasingly under scrutiny. Living longer is no longer enough; people want to live well for longer. New research by EY shows a growing gap between what healthcare systems currently offer older adults and what people actually want as they age.
Across countries, healthcare consumers are signalling a clear preference: independence, care at home, and technology that supports daily life rather than replacing it with institutional care.
A care model under strain
EY’s Global Consumer Health Survey 2025 paints a sobering picture of how ageing care is perceived today. Nearly 60% of respondents rate the system of care as they age as fair or poor — a significantly worse assessment than for general healthcare or mental health services.
The underlying problem is structural. Most healthcare systems were designed around acute treatment and institutional settings, not prevention, long-term independence or coordinated support in the community. As populations age, this model is becoming increasingly unsustainable — both financially and socially.
Executives interviewed by EY describe a system that is fragmented and difficult to navigate, especially when people need help quickly. Information is scattered, services are poorly coordinated, and families are often left to manage complex care decisions on their own.
The strong preference for ageing at home
One of the clearest findings from the survey is the demand for home-based support enabled by technology.
Nearly 75% of global respondents say they would likely use a “smart home” equipped with sensors and devices that can monitor health indicators and alert family members or healthcare teams in case of emergencies. This includes tools that detect falls, monitor movement patterns, or signal when daily routines — such as opening a medicine cabinet — are disrupted.
For people who need more intensive support, interest in alternatives to traditional hospital care is also high. Around 70% of respondents say they would consider “hospital at home” programmes, particularly if these services include help with daily activities, medication management, nursing care and home safety adaptations.
These preferences reflect a broader cultural shift. Ageing is increasingly viewed through the lens of healthspan — the number of years lived in good physical and mental health — rather than lifespan alone.
Digital health is no longer a niche
The survey shows strong openness to digital health tools that support ageing in place:
- 67% would use digital technologies that collect and share health data, such as blood pressure readings
- 64% are open to care models combining virtual and in-person services
- 56% would use voice-enabled digital assistants for reminders and appointments
- 49% are open to AI tools that analyse health data to identify risks
- 54% would consider genetic testing to understand age-related health risks
Interest is even higher among people aged 50–59, suggesting that future generations of seniors will expect digital tools to be fully integrated into care pathways.
This is not about replacing human care with technology, but about using digital tools to improve coordination, transparency and responsiveness — something consumers already experience in other parts of their lives.
Caregivers: the invisible backbone of the system
Behind most ageing-at-home arrangements is an unpaid caregiver, often a family member. EY’s findings highlight how stretched this group already is.
Nearly half of caregivers describe the system as extremely or very difficult to navigate. One in five spend more than 31 hours per week caring for a loved one, and the majority spend at least five hours weekly. Women are more likely than men to report difficulty navigating care services.
Caregivers say they need:
- Better education about caregiving tasks and responsibilities
- Financial support
- Clearer communication and coordination across services
Without adequate support, caregiver burnout becomes a real risk — often resulting in emergency hospital admissions that could have been avoided with earlier community-based intervention.
From treatment to prevention
Experts interviewed by EY repeatedly point to the need for a shift from treatment-focused care to a prevention and wellness model.
Data from the survey suggests there is significant room for improvement in everyday habits that support healthy ageing:
- Only 26% follow a personalised nutrition programme
- 43% follow a fitness plan
- 25% participate in social clubs or activities
- 50% engage in intellectual challenges
Mobility, nutrition, social connection and cognitive stimulation are all well-established factors in maintaining independence. Yet many systems still intervene only when problems become acute.
Some experts argue that routine cognitive screening should become as normal as other preventative checks, helping identify impairment earlier and allowing people to participate in decisions about their future care.
What needs to change
Based on the findings, EY outlines several areas where healthcare organisations, policymakers and industry can act:
- Empower people to manage their own health
Use existing health data and consumer-generated data to provide personalised forecasts and prevention plans, supporting a longer healthspan. - Strengthen community-based care
Improve access to real-time support, home visits, social programmes and safer public spaces that help people remain independent. - Use digital tools where people want care
Sensors, virtual therapists and remote monitoring can improve safety and continuity, while recognising access and affordability challenges. - Shift funding toward prevention
Community care is often less costly than acute care and better aligned with consumer preferences. - Support caregivers as part of the system
Better tools, education and coordination reduce burnout and improve outcomes for both patients and providers.
A question of priorities
As one health executive noted in the EY report, success in aged care should not be measured only by years added, but by whether those years are dignified, connected and meaningful — for older adults and their families.
06.01.2026.
