What if the key to helping your aging parent feel less lonely isn't calling more often, but helping them have a conversation every single day, even when you can't be there?

I used to beat myself up about how rarely I managed to call my mom. Between work deadlines, school pickups, and the mental load of everything else, our weekly check-ins were rushed and shallow. "How are you?" "Fine." "Okay, love you, bye." It never felt like enough for either of us.

📌 Bookmark this for later if you're in the same boat.

Then I stumbled on a 2024 study from Geriatrics that changed how I think about this. Researchers followed 34 older adults living alone who used personal voice assistants for daily 30-minute conversations over three months. The results? Significant reductions in loneliness (Z = −2.99, p < 0.01) and meaningful increases in perceived social support.

What struck me wasn't just the numbers. It was realizing that my mom doesn't just need me to call more. She needs daily conversation. Consistent connection. Someone (or something) to simply be there, asking about her day.

That's not something I can give her. Not with everything else on my plate. And maybe that's okay. Maybe the answer isn't guilt. Maybe it's getting creative about filling that gap.

💬 Does this hit close to home? Tell me in the comments. I'd love to hear how you're navigating this.

This is exactly why we built Eleanor, a voice companion that gives seniors the daily conversations they deserve.