Adult social care provider technology survey 2025
A government survey of technology use by care providers. Sensor-based monitoring was among the most commonly reported technologies, while adoption remained uneven.
Open the sourceResearch and trials
What the evidence says, and where it begins to mumble
A curated starting library for the technologies in the directory. We prioritise systematic reviews, independent studies and UK public-sector evidence over demonstrations involving one extremely cooperative prototype.
How to read this page
Evidence for a category is not proof for every product
A review of robotic pets can support the plausibility of a benefit without proving that a particular retail cat will help a particular person. Product design, implementation, staff involvement and individual preference all matter.
The directory therefore combines broad research with product-specific facts and a conservative evidence grade.
The effectiveness of social robots for older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Reported possible benefits for several psychosocial outcomes, alongside limited study quality and inconsistent results.
Open the sourceSocially assistive robots for people with dementia: a systematic review
Reviews feasibility, acceptability and clinical-effectiveness evidence for socially assistive robots used with people living with dementia.
Open the sourceHow do robopets affect health and wellbeing in care homes?
Found some evidence of reduced agitation with PARO and highlighted substantial variation between studies and individual responses.
Open the sourceAutonomous conversational agents for loneliness and social isolation
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis covering robotic and non-robotic conversational systems for older adults.
Open the sourceSmart oral multidose dispensing systems for medication adherence
Thirteen studies suggested usability but showed substantial variation in devices, populations and adherence measures.
Open the sourceFall detection devices and their use with older adults
A review that exposed a persistent problem: many systems were tested under laboratory conditions rather than in ordinary homes.
Open the sourceSmart homes and home-health monitoring technologies for older adults
Reviews readiness, effectiveness and the evidence needed for monitoring technologies intended to support ageing at home.
Open the sourceWearable and portable GPS solutions for people with dementia
Examines GPS devices as tools for locating a missing person and supporting freedom, including usability and ethical tensions.
Open the sourceWhat comes next
Later versions can attach individual studies directly to each directory entry and track active UK trials. The v1 library establishes the source hierarchy without pretending nine papers have settled the future of care.