Abstract:

The rising demand for elder care is creating significant challenges for Adult Family Homes (AFHs), many of which rely on outdated, labor-intensive manual systems that limit efficiency and compromise resident safety. This paper introduces WakSense, an innovative AI and IoT-enabled platform specifically designed to address the operational, regulatory, and caregiving needs of AFHs. WakSense enables real-time monitoring of residents, intelligent medication management, automated care routines, and a digital framework for creating, tracking, and updating Negotiated Care Plans (NCPs). The platform also provides advanced caregiver support through job matching, recruitment modules, and tools that assist families in selecting the most appropriate AFH for their loved ones. This study details the system’s technical architecture, identifies current market and workflow gaps, and outlines practical implementation strategies aimed at modernizing care delivery, improving resident safety, and reducing caregiver workload, while promoting greater operational efficiency and compliance across AFHs.

Keywords:

Adult Family Homes, Aging in Place, Artificial Intelligence, Assistive Technologies, Caregiver Support, Digital Care Plans, Elder Care Technology, Elder Safety, Internet of Things, Medication Management, Real-Time Monitoring, Smart Healthcare.