Caregiving technology and the human touch at AARP's Houston conference

Chorong Park joined AARP Texas's Men Who Care Conference in Houston on November 7 for a discussion about technology and AI in caregiving. She spoke alongside Carlos Figarella, with Michael Nevels moderating, and heard caregivers' experiences throughout the conference. [1][2]

Two-photo collage showing three seated panel speakers in an orange-walled room and a group standing beside a projection screen. — The original panel collage shared in Park's conference reflection.

The panel explored how AI agents, smart glasses, robots and smart-home technologies might help with everyday caregiving tasks. Park described possibilities for support across devices and settings, rather than presenting a finished system or demonstrated health benefits. [1]

Two people pose for a close-up photograph in front of an AARP Houston banner. — A conference photograph from Park's original gallery.

Her central takeaway was that practical assistance cannot replace human care or remove the emotional difficulties families face. For Park, listening to caregivers and people receiving care is essential to deciding what technology should do, and where human connection must remain central. [1]

Six people stand together beside a projection screen in the orange-walled panel room. — A group photograph in the conference's panel room.

Two people stand in front of a stage with potted plants, chairs and an AARP Houston banner. — A photograph beside the conference stage, shared by Park.

Park highlighted the experiences shared by male caregivers and the personal caregiving stories told by Jesús Trejo. His reflections on finding joy and laughter stayed with her, alongside her call for caregivers and older adults to help shape the tools intended to support them. [1]

View from a conference table toward a speaker at a lectern and a Men Who Care Conference screen, with an open program in the foreground. — The conference room viewed from the audience, with the event program in the foreground.

Sources

Adapted from Chorong Park's LinkedIn post. LinkedIn images are presented in their original order.