Question 1

How serious is loneliness for older adults — really?

Accepted Answer

Very. The World Health Organization linked loneliness to around 871,000 deaths a year worldwide in 2025 — roughly 100 every hour. The landmark 2015 meta-analysis of 300,000+ people found loneliness raises the risk of premature death in older adults by 26%, social isolation by 29%, and living alone by 32% — a mortality risk comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. For older adults with heart disease the figure rises to 39%. You can read the full evidence on our Companionship page.

Question 2

What does loneliness look like in New Zealand and Australia specifically?

Accepted Answer

It's not a faraway problem. The Ageing Well National Science Challenge found 10% of New Zealanders over 65 are lonely all or most of the time — rising to 1 in 2 by age 80. In Australia, 16% of people over 65 experience loneliness and the Medical Journal of Australia now calls it a public-health epidemic, linking it to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, dementia and depression. A 2025 cross-national study including NZ confirmed loneliness is meaningfully associated with 1-year mortality in older home-care recipients.

Question 3

Can a conversational companion like grace really help with loneliness?

Accepted Answer

Loneliness is environmental and social — it doesn't get fixed by clinical visits alone. What helps is consistent, warm, attentive presence: someone who remembers, who asks again tomorrow, who's there at 3am. That's exactly what grace provides — daily check-ins, conversation that knows your loved one's history and family, gentle reminders, and bridges back to family when grace notices a quieter day. It's not a replacement for human relationships; it's the steady company that fills the long hours in between.

Question 4

Is my loved one's data secure? Where is it stored?

Accepted Answer

Your loved one's data never leaves your premises unless you explicitly choose to. grace keeps medication schedules, appointments and all critical personal information in a secure, encrypted on-premises database. We use end-to-end encryption, role-based access for family members, and regular security audits. Nothing is shared with third parties.

Question 5

Can grace adapt to different cultures, languages and backgrounds?

Accepted Answer

Yes. grace is designed to work with all genders, ethnicities and cultures. During setup, family members share details about your loved one's background, traditions, values and preferred language or dialect. grace tailors her tone, references and topics so every conversation feels familiar and respectful.

Question 6

Does grace learn and improve over time?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. grace gets to know your loved one with every interaction. She remembers what matters to them, notices routines and preferences, and grows more helpful and personalised each day. The more they talk, the better she becomes.

Question 7

Can grace talk about news and local events?

Accepted Answer

Yes. grace can read the latest news headlines and talk about what's happening in your loved one's local area. It's a great way to keep them connected to the world and give them fresh topics to chat about.

Question 8

How does grace help with medication and appointment reminders?

Accepted Answer

grace gently reminds your loved one when it's time to take medication, attend an appointment, or follow part of their daily routine. Reminders are spoken in a warm, conversational way — never alarming — and family members can review what was acknowledged through the family dashboard.

Question 9

How does grace keep my loved one mentally active?

Accepted Answer

grace offers daily puzzles, memory quizzes, word games and reminiscence prompts tailored to your loved one's interests and ability. These light cognitive exercises are designed to keep the mind engaged and can help slow cognitive decline when practised consistently.

Question 10

Is grace available 24/7?

Accepted Answer

Yes. grace is always there — day or night. Whether it's a 3am moment of confusion, an early-morning chat, or company through a quiet afternoon, your loved one never has to feel alone.

Question 11

How do family members stay informed?

Accepted Answer

Family members receive intelligent updates through the grace app — daily summaries of mood, sleep, conversations, completed activities and any concerns grace has noticed. You can check in any time without having to call and interrupt.

Question 12

What if my loved one is resistant to using technology?

Accepted Answer

grace is designed to feel like a friend, not a gadget. There's nothing to tap, swipe or learn — they simply talk, and grace responds. Most people forget they're using technology within a few days because the conversation feels so natural.

Question 13

Will my loved one feel like they're being watched or monitored?

Accepted Answer

No. grace is a companion, not a surveillance device. There are no cameras, no always-on video, no motion tracking. She listens when spoken to and responds like a friend would — not a monitor reporting back. Family summaries focus on wellbeing (mood, engagement, sleep patterns) rather than a play-by-play of their day. Dignity is the design principle, not an add-on.

Question 14

Can grace adapt to my parent's personality, routine and quirks?

Accepted Answer

Yes — that's the whole point. During setup you share who they are: their history, humour, likes and dislikes, the topics that light them up and the ones to steer clear of. grace builds on that from day one and keeps refining as they talk. Within a couple of weeks she sounds like someone who genuinely knows them, because she does.

Question 15

What happens at night, during sundowning, or moments of confusion?

Accepted Answer

grace is always there — including at 3am. When she detects distress markers (raised voice, repeated phrases, anxious questions) she shifts into calming mode: slower pace, softer tone, grounding language ("You're safe. I'm right here."). She won't correct a confused belief — she'll gently redirect. For anything that sounds like a real emergency (fall, chest pain, breathing trouble), she escalates to your nominated family or emergency contact immediately.

Question 16

Can grace detect a fall or emergency?

Accepted Answer

grace listens for emergency keywords and distress patterns during conversation and escalates to your nominated contacts straight away. She is not a medical alert device and doesn't replace one — if your loved one is high-risk for falls, we recommend pairing grace with a dedicated medical alert pendant. On the free assessment we'll talk through what's right for their situation.

Question 17

Who can see the information grace collects?

Accepted Answer

Only the family members you authorise, with role-based access you control. Nothing is shared with third parties, ever — no advertisers, no data brokers, no partners. Data stays on the on-premises device in your loved one's home unless you explicitly opt in to sync summaries to the family app.

Question 18

Will grace replace visits from family or carers?

Accepted Answer

No — and she's not meant to. grace fills the long hours in between: the quiet afternoons, the early mornings, the 3am moments. She also helps bridge back to family — nudging a call when she notices a quieter day, or flagging something worth checking in about. The goal is more meaningful human contact, not less.

Question 19

Does my loved one need internet or any tech skills?

Accepted Answer

They need nothing. No apps, no passwords, no screens to learn. If there's internet in the home, great — grace uses it for news, weather and family sync. If not, we'll talk through options on the assessment. On their end it's just talking, the way they always have.

Question 20

What if it doesn't work for us — is there a contract?

Accepted Answer

No lock-in. You can change plans or cancel any time. We'd rather you stay because grace is genuinely helping than because a contract says so. If it's not the right fit, we'll help you wind it down properly — including exporting or deleting the data, your choice.

Question 21

How does the setup and free assessment work?

Accepted Answer

It starts with a ~30-minute call — no obligation, no sales pressure. We learn about your loved one, their situation, what you're hoping for, and what you're worried about. From there we recommend the right plan and walk you through setup. Most families are up and running within a week of the assessment.

Question 22

What does grace cost?

Accepted Answer

Pricing depends on the plan you choose. After a short conversation about your loved one's needs we'll recommend the right option — transparent pricing, no hidden fees, and you can change or cancel any time.

Dementia & home care FAQ for families in NZ & Australia.

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