Market scope note: This article covers information from both Korea and the United States. Each piece of information is labeled 🇰🇷 Korea or 🇺🇸 U.S. in the text to indicate which country it applies to.
The weight of not being able to be by your parents' side — even when you want to be — is something no words can fully capture. As of 2026, artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies have begun to quietly fill that gap. Both Korea and the United States are backing this trend with national-level policy, and there is now genuinely useful information that family caregivers should know about.
🇰🇷 Korea On May 6, 2026, the Ministry of Health and Welfare officially selected and announced the participating companies for the smart home and smart social welfare facility components of the 'AX Sprint Project (AI Application Product Rapid Commercialization Support Project),' which applies AI and IoT technologies to in-home care settings. The NHN Consortium was chosen to lead the smart home category; it will collect the daily life and health data of in-home care recipients and build an integrated platform for care workers and local governments to use with AI-analyzed results. The project aims to validate pre-commercialization AI products in real-world settings and then scale them rapidly, with the scope of application set to expand in phases depending on the results of the pilot.
🇰🇷 Korea The core goal of this policy is to close care gaps through 24-hour safety, emotional, and health services. AI technology analyzes the behavioral patterns of care recipients and automatically detects warning signs, while IoT sensors collect real-time data and relay it immediately to the assigned care worker. Functions such as fall-risk prediction and monitoring for changes in daily life patterns have already been verified through field pilots. Meanwhile, in June 2026, the Seoul Welfare Foundation announced its 'Care Service Digital Transformation Support' project utilizing AI and robotics, selecting 6 care facilities and providing each with approximately 7 million won in funding along with specialized technical support. Some local governments are currently running pilot ICT care services targeting elderly people living alone, and policy discussions on expanding these programs are ongoing.
🇺🇸 U.S. In the United States, Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) is becoming a standard approach to in-home care for older adults. Starting in 2026, Medicare has included certain AI-based remote monitoring devices as covered benefits, and RPM services prescribed by a healthcare provider can be billed through insurance. As of January 2026, Medicaid also covers RPM in some form in 41 states. Wearable sensors and in-home installed devices track heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen levels around the clock, while AI virtual assistants provide medication reminders and symptom check-ins.
🇺🇸 U.S. That said, not every smart device is automatically covered by Medicare. Consumer devices such as smart speakers and personal emergency alert systems are often not covered under Original Medicare. However, some Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid Waiver programs, veterans' programs, and local Area Agencies on Aging do provide support for certain devices or home modification costs. Coverage depends on the plan, the state, the results of an assessment, and medical necessity, so it is important to speak with your healthcare provider first.
Both countries emphasize a shared point: AI is not a replacement for human caregiving, but a tool that supplements the capacity of family caregivers and professional care workers. Even when technology is the first to detect a warning sign, the final judgment and response must come from a person. Real safety requires that family communication, connections with medical professionals, and emergency response plans all work alongside the technology. It is also worth remembering that older adults who are less familiar with digital devices may need extra support during the initial adjustment period.
Sources: Ministry of Health and Welfare press release (2026.5.6); reporting by 전자신문, 전국인력신문, and 한국병원신문 (2026.5); Seoul Welfare Foundation 2026 Care Service Digital Transformation Support Project announcement (2026.6); 에이드프라미스 매거진 senior care report (2025.12); All Seniors Foundation AI Home Health Care guide (2026.1); Prevounce Remote Patient Monitoring comprehensive guide (2026); Grants for Seniors AI Technology guide (2026.5); CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) Remote Patient Monitoring information page.
Note: This article was compiled by AI from the sources cited above. We strive for accuracy, but for decisions about your specific situation, please confirm the latest guidance from a professional or the relevant agency.
If the process of finding the right smart care technology and support programs for your parents feels overwhelming, Sierra Care Advisor is here to help — looking at information from both Korea and the United States to guide your family toward the path that fits your situation.