Smart Tech for Caregivers: Delaware Leaders Blend Innovation and Compassion to Help Seniors Stay Independent

The Easterseals Caregivers Resource & Technology Center is open to the public, and families are encouraged to explore the tools in person or take a virtual tour online.  Pictured… a robotic pet, ergonomic gardening tools, walker/wheelchair, video platform for visitation, smart pill dispenser, and the new Alzheimer’s Association App for caregivers.

Smart Tech for Caregivers should empower seniors, provide peace of mind, help people stay safe, and protect their privacy… without overwhelming them.

By George D. Rotsch, Editor and Publisher of Delaware LIVE

WILMINGTON, Del. — Across Delaware, a new generation of caregiving leaders is using Innovative Smart Tech for Caregivers: Delaware Leaders Blend Innovation and Compassion to Help Seniors Stay Independent that combines compassion with innovation to help older adults live safely and comfortably at home.

At Easterseals in New Castle, Nancy Ranalli gives caregivers hands-on access to assistive technology that promotes independence. At Griswold Home Care, Patrick Gray integrates AI-based systems that support safety and peace of mind. And through the Alzheimer’s Association, Kristina Fransel connects families with a powerful new mobile app that puts expert guidance right at their fingertips.

Together, they represent a growing movement that blends human care and smart technology — giving families the tools to keep loved ones safe, connected, and independent, while supporting caregivers who shoulder the daily responsibility of care.

“This is where independence and dignity meet technology,” said Ranalli, Director of Community Outreach & Assistive Technology for Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore. “These devices can help Mom or Dad be safer and more independent at home — and give the caregiver peace of mind.”

A Hands-On Hub for Independence

At Easterseals’ Caregivers Resource & Technology Center on Corporate Circle in New Castle, Ranalli leads tours that showcase more than 200 devices — everything from low-tech tools to AI-enabled systems that redefine caregiving.

Visitors can see:
• an inflatable bathtub for bed-bound care;
• easy-grip toothbrush holders and plates designed for one-handed use;
• mats that alert caregivers when someone gets out of bed;
• sensors connected to refrigerators, microwaves, or doors that confirm when meals or medication have been taken;
• a walker that converts to a wheelchair;
• large-button phones and voice-activated smart speakers;
• a robotic pet that mimics human interaction;
• clothing with magnetic fasteners instead of buttons; and
• gardening tools adapted for older hands.

“These devices can enable the caregiver to help Mom or Dad be more independent, have dignity, and be safer at home — while giving the caregiver some peace of mind,” Ranalli said.

She and her team also help families compare features, explain funding options, and learn how to integrate each tool into daily routines. Ranalli has expanded the program statewide, including a growing assistive-tech resource site at the Milford Wellness Village.

“The right device can change a person’s daily life,” she added. “Something as simple as a smart light or automatic stove shut-off can prevent an accident. These aren’t luxuries — they’re lifelines.”

AI Technology Extends the Reach of Care

Across New Castle, Patrick Gray, owner and director of Griswold Home Care for New Castle County, is taking those same principles into clients’ homes — blending professional caregiving with AI and smart technology that reduces stress for families and staff alike.

Gray, a Certified Dementia Practitioner with more than 15 years in senior-care leadership, is integrating technologies that complement human caregivers rather than replace them.

“We use AI to help people stay connected and to help caregivers manage smarter,” Gray said. “The goal is always more personal time and less paperwork.”

Among the innovations his agency employs or recommends:

• Remote care platforms that let families check schedules, communicate with aides, and receive real-time updates.

• AI companions, such as interactive voice assistants that engage clients with dementia, track mood, and notify caregivers of changes.

• Smart-home devices — fall detectors, medication dispensers, and emergency alert systems — coordinated through Griswold’s care dashboard.

• Predictive scheduling tools that use AI to match caregivers with clients, preventing burnout.

• TV-based virtual-visit systems that make telehealth simple for older adults.

Newer AI-enabled systems can even “listen” for signs of trouble without using cameras — protecting privacy while improving safety. These devices can distinguish the sound of a television from a cry for help, or the clatter of a dropped dish from the crash of a broken window. They can tell the difference between a basket of laundry hitting the floor and a fall in the bathroom — and instantly alert a caregiver or neighbor.

“Technology is evolving quickly, but the human need isn’t changing,” Gray said. “Seniors need technology to enable and protect them — not to rob them of privacy and dignity. At the same time, caregivers don’t need technology to replace human care; they need it to provide peace of mind — a little assurance that if they can’t be there, Mom is still going to be okay.”

“These tools strengthen the human side of care,” he added. “They help us notice changes sooner and give families reassurance that Mom or Dad is doing well.”

An App for Knowledge and Support

While Ranalli and Gray focus on hands-on and in-home technology, Kristina Fransel, Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter, highlights the importance of information access — and how the organization’s new My ALZ Journey app empowers caregivers differently.

“This app is all about putting trusted guidance and resources directly into the hands of caregivers — anytime, anywhere,” Fransel said.

The My ALZ Journey app offers:

• Personalized Support: Tailored content based on whether you’re a caregiver or someone living with dementia, your age, and your location.

• Step-by-Step Guidance: Tools to navigate early-stage planning, daily independence, and care routines.

• Local Resources: Connections to nearby Alzheimer’s Association chapters, support groups, and programs.

• Interactive Tools: Checklists, planning templates, and activities to stay engaged and organized.

• Privacy-First Design: No account required, no tracking — just easy access to help when it’s needed most.

“Access to information about all kinds of challenges that caregivers face, right at your fingertips, can make the difference between protecting someone or improving the quality of life for a loved one,” Fransel said.

The app complements the hands-on tech demonstrated at Easterseals and the in-home AI tools that Patrick Gray’s team uses — forming a trio of support for Delaware families navigating dementia and elder care.

Partners in the Future of Aging

Together, leaders like Ranalli, Gray, and Fransel are redefining what it means for Delawareans to age where they wish to be — combining compassion, design, and smart innovation.

At Easterseals, the focus begins with understanding how small devices restore confidence. At Griswold, the emphasis is on leveraging AI and smart systems to support caregivers and anticipate needs. And at the Alzheimer’s Association, technology connects caregivers with education, planning tools, and community in real time.

All agree that technology must serve people, not the other way around.

“Technology should empower people, not overwhelm them,” Ranalli said. “When caregivers and families feel supported, everyone benefits.”

See the Technology Firsthand

The Easterseals Caregivers Resource & Technology Center is open to the public, and families are encouraged to explore the tools in person or take a virtual tour online. Caregivers in Sussex and Kent counties can schedule a virtual visit to see how these devices can fit into their homes.

“Seeing the devices in action makes all the difference,” Ranalli said. “Call us, come in, and we’ll help you find what works for your life.”

Meanwhile, Patrick Gray welcomes families, caregivers, and healthcare partners to schedule private consultations about integrating AI-based caregiving tools, safety monitoring, and smart-home systems.

“These aren’t gadgets,” Gray said. “They’re practical tools designed to protect seniors, support caregivers, and make life a little easier for everyone.”

And for families managing memory care, Fransel encourages caregivers to download the My ALZ Journey app or contact the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 Helpline for immediate support and local resources.

Where to Explore Senior-Care Technology in Delaware

Easterseals Caregivers Resource & Technology Center — New Castle
61 Corporate Circle, New Castle, DE 19720
Led by Nancy Ranalli, Director of Community Outreach & Assistive Technology. Hands-on demonstrations of adaptive and smart-home devices, caregiver training, and resource guidance. Virtual tours available for Sussex and Kent County residents.
(302) 324-4444 Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore

Griswold Home Care of New Castle County
15 Reads Way, Suite 201, New Castle, DE 19720
Directed by Patrick Gray, Certified Dementia Practitioner. Integrates AI-driven companions, remote-care dashboards, and smart-home monitoring tools to support in-home care and reduce caregiver stress. Private consultations available.
(302) 456-9904 New Castle County Providing Caregivers | Griswold

Alzheimer’s Association – Delaware Valley Chapter
My ALZ Journey App: Offers personalized guidance, local resources, and a privacy-first design to help caregivers and individuals living with dementia.
24/7 Helpline: (800) 272-3900 alz.org/delval

Staff Writer

Delaware LIVE collaborates with a network of professional journalists to cover a diverse range of stories across various fields.  Staff Writers include experienced journalists and young professionals.  If you have questions, please feel free to contact editor@delawarelive.com or our publisher, George D. Rotsch at George@Delawarelive.com