Social isolation is one of the 14 modifiable risk factors of dementia, having the potential to increase the likelihood of disease development by up to 60%. And, for those already living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, the often-resulting social isolation can be as challenging as the disease itself. Memory loss due to cognitive decline can make social visits, no matter how frequent, feel few and far between.
Tony Aubé, Amical’s co-founder, knew this experience all too well, having a grandmother with Alzheimer’s disease. Regardless of being one of the most frequently visited residents in her long-term care home, she would forget visits and interactions almost immediately. This ongoing experience sparked the idea for Amical—a 24-hour AI companion that could be there any day, any time, with a response at any moment.
Rather than asking users to learn new technology, Amical hosts its AI inside a commonly used, “low-tech” device: a telephone. All residents need to do is pick up the handset and begin talking. The AI companion is available 24 hours a day to engage in conversation, share reminders, and offer well-being checks. The system can also alert family members and care teams when conversations may require urgent attention, helping identify potential signs of cognitive or emotional decline earlier. A key component of Amical is that the technology is designed to complement—not replace—the care provided by families and healthcare professionals.
