A reflection on embodied conversational agents as support for the psychological therapeutic monitoring of elderly people

Depression and anxiety are the most common mental health disorders in the elderly, with mental health conditions often being underrecognized and undertreated. Given this and the aging population, the need to adapt to the growing demands of technology is essential. However, this age group still faces significant difficulty in adapting to technological advances. This essay explores the potential of Embodied Conversational Agents in supporting psychological therapeutic monitoring for the elderly, with possible benefits in reducing social isolation, loneliness, and mental health issues among the elderly, promoting interaction and therapeutic activities. However, further studies related to the topic are still needed, given the evidence available in the literature up to the present moment.