AI can help, but weak support systems put older Filipinos at risk

The Philippines is projected to become an aging society by 2030, but inadequate support systems, such as weak healthcare, limited pensions, and low digital literacy, risk leaving millions of older Filipinos vulnerable.

Aging experts at the 11th Annual Public Policy Conference (APPC), organized by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) as part of the 23rd Development Policy Research Month (DPRM), urged the government to act now: strengthen institutions, embrace technology responsibly, and ensure no elderly Filipino is left behind.

“The Philippines is aging before it becomes economically affluent,” warned Dr. Grace Cruz of the UP Population Institute.

Findings from the “Longitudinal Study of Aging and Health in the Philippines (LSAHP)” reveal that older Filipinos have fragile and informal sources of support: six in ten rely on their children, 54% on pensions, only one in four earn from work due to low employment rates, and 18% receive remittances from abroad.

Limited financial security compounds health risks, with 69% of older persons having hypertension and half of them untreated.

Care work also falls disproportionately on women, 83% of whom serve as primary caregivers, often without formal training.

These challenges are further magnified by the digital divide: “Only 6% of older persons use the internet, compared to 43% of the general population,” Cruz said, leaving many excluded from digital services and opportunities.

Without intervention, she said, these gaps will erode quality of life.

“Let’s turn longevity into a silver dividend by investing in health programs, data, technology, and governance,” she stressed.

 

Gaps in health systems

Dr. Shelley Ann de la Vega, Director of the Institute on Aging at the University of the Philippines Manila–National Institutes of Health, warned that many older Filipinos are facing isolation, poor quality of life, and high rates of sleep disorders, depression, and cognitive impairment—with nearly one in four at risk for dementia.

The healthcare system is ill-equipped to respond. “Only 52% of hospitals offered comprehensive geriatric assessment,” de la Vega said, noting that there are only 155 board-certified geriatricians, mostly in NCR.

Mental health services remain scarce, particularly in rural areas and outside urban centers, she added.

To bridge these gaps, De la Vega pointed to “Gerontechnology,” a technology specially designed to support older adults in their daily lives and healthcare.

These range from simple yet vital tools, such as blood pressure monitors, wearables, and pill dispensers, to advanced systems, including telehealth platforms and virtual reality therapies for dementia patients. Even mobility aids and social apps fall under this category.

Still, she emphasized, “technology alone will not suffice.” Policymakers must establish a national long-term care insurance program, pursue retirement reforms, and expand digital literacy programs.

“More research is needed: a unified agenda, more funding, research harmonization, and human resource development for aging research,” she added, stressing that evidence-based action must guide policy.

 

Data and AI governance

Strengthening healthcare also requires stronger data management. This was the focus of Ms. Angely Garcia, Research Assistant Professor, also from the National Institutes of Health.

“Data governance is crucial for informing policy, guiding healthcare providers, maximizing the benefits of collected data, and determining accountability and processes,” she said.

According to her, older persons’ medical records are often complex, involving multiple illnesses, medications, and providers.

Yet their review of 57 studies found that most focused on technology and processes, while overlooking the roles of people and stakeholders. Clearer accountability, transparency, and monitoring are needed, especially for health issues such as fall detection and chronic disease management.

Garcia pointed to opportunities of AI, such as neural network modeling for early detection of Parkinson’s disease, decision-support tools for clinicians, and systems that improve chronic disease management.

However, it also poses risks, including the digital divide, data privacy concerns, AI bias, and a lack of transparency in algorithms.

To move forward, Garcia called for embedding core principles into national standards: “protecting people, promoting health value and equity, investing in AI infrastructure and digital literacy, ensuring ethical AI development and deployment, and maintaining fairness, transparency, and human oversight.”

 

The human dimension

Building on these discussions, retired UP professor Dr. Grace Shangkuan Koo reflected on the broader implications of AI and aging.

Drawing from Yuval Noah Harari, she described “dataism” as the new religion, where control rests with those who own the most data.

While AI may extend life through drug discovery and develop longevity therapies, Koo reminded the audience of its limits.

“Technology cannot teach compassion, empathy, or emotional intelligence. Humanities remain essential for guiding ethical and meaningful life, even in the era of AI,” she said.

For Koo, technology may extend life, but “it cannot cancel death.”

“It may aid our work, but compassion, wisdom, and reflection remain irreplaceable,” she added. (PIDS)