Beyond Teletherapy: How US tech is transforming mental wellness in later life
Tech is changing fast — but what does that really mean for your mental health in midlife and beyond, here in Australia? In the United States, telehealth has moved from novelty to a normal part of everyday care for many older people. Now, the field is shifting again. AI-powered therapy tools, virtual reality environments, and new forms of tech-driven social connection, much of it emerging in California, are starting to reshape how people access and experience mental health and wellbeing support.
AI and digital tools are being designed to support therapists by offering clients optional access, encouragement, and monitoring between sessions. The goal is to help people get more out of the therapeutic relationship and keep human engagement at the centre of therapy. Let’s look at some of the latest innovations, and what they might mean for us here in Australia.
Smartphones & Internet: Anchors for connection
Internet use and smartphone ownership are now near-universal for many in midlife and older age groups. Among people in their 60s and 70s, smartphone and broadband adoption have risen steadily in recent years, opening doors to online therapy, health apps, and virtual communities.
Here in Australia, a national survey on technology take-up found that people in their 70s doubled their smartphone use between 2018 and 2021, while video calls and online health tools surged during COVID-19. Many became more skilled, though some still felt wary about privacy, scams, or the loss of human touch.
Studies indicate that regular, active use of digital devices, from smartphones to laptops, can reduce the risk of cognitive decline and support mental agility (Kim et al., 2024). Another large cohort study found that daily internet engagement in midlife was linked to a lower risk of dementia in older age (Zhang et al., 2023).
For mental health, this isn’t about endless scrolling, it’s about intentional use, such as booking therapy sessions online, joining moderated peer groups, or learning new skills through digital platforms.
AI in Mental Health: Companion, coach, and a watchful eye
AI is moving quickly from concept to practice. From chatbots delivering guided coping strategies to virtual reality avatars running mindfulness sessions, the possibilities are multiplying. At Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, the XAIA program combines AI and immersive virtual reality to walk clients through calming exercises in simulated environments; an approach shown to reduce stress and improve mood (Cedars-Sinai, 2025).
Beyond therapy rooms, AI companions like ElliQ or phone-based services like Meela offer conversational support, daily check-ins, and prompts for social engagement. Early evaluations suggest these tools can improve mood, reduce loneliness, and encourage healthier routines (Wall Street Journal, 2025).
AI is also being used for passive monitoring, such as the HOPE system, which uses Wi-Fi motion sensing to detect behavioural patterns linked to depression risk in older adults, without requiring wearables like a smartwatch or fitness tracker (Digital Health Science, 2025).
However, while AI can supplement mental health care, ethical guidelines stress that it should operate under the oversight of a registered health provider, with transparent safeguards.
Social Media: Redefining later life and building community online
The old idea that later life is ‘offline’ no longer holds true. People in later life are active on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and increasingly TikTok, not just to keep in touch, but to advocate for causes, build communities, and challenge stereotypes about ageing.
Even dating platforms are becoming part of this shift. In the US, about one in six adults over 50 has tried online dating, with half of those seeking a long-term partner, while others look for casual connections or new friendships (Pew Research Center, 2023). Relationship-oriented platforms such as Match.com are especially popular, with people over 50 now making up more than a quarter of its users. On Feeld, the number of users aged 60 and above has surged by over 300% in the past few years.
Additionally, a 2024 Wired report confirms that those aged 60-80 are one of the fastest-growing demographics on dating apps such as Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble. Beyond companionship, many report rediscovering intimacy, confidence, and sexual satisfaction, demonstrating how later life can be a time of new and unexpected chapters.
Design for Inclusion: Making tech work for you
Even as adoption rises, not everyone feels equally confident. In the US, rural areas and lower-income communities show lower uptake of telehealth (Ettman et al., 2025). Sensory, cognitive, and physical changes in later life also affect how people engage with tech, which may be why some older Australians feel technology is “designed for younger people” (Orthia et al., 2022).
That’s why the best providers focus on accessibility. Features like larger fonts, captions, high-contrast displays, simplified log-ins, and even tech rehearsal calls before a session are helping make innovation more inclusive.
The Way Forward: Blending innovation with human care
The bigger picture is emerging; technology is starting to reshape how people in midlife and older age care for their mental health. In Australia, we’ve seen older adults adapt quickly. Globally, research shows real health benefits, from lower dementia risk to reduced depression symptoms and greater social connection.
But adoption is only part of the story. Comfort, trust, and ethical safeguards matter just as much as technology. Many people remain cautious about privacy and the fear of losing human connection in care. That’s why the future is about using digital tools to extend connection, accessibility, and choice in your self-care.
At Upside Stories, our online therapy and wellbeing programs combine evidence-based approaches with the best of AI innovation behind the scenes, always keeping human connection at the centre of our work.
Curious how online therapy could work for you?
Why not book a free 20-minute consult with Upside Stories to discuss your online therapy needs? We’d love to hear from you.
References & reading
Cedars-Sinai. (2025, March 4). Study: Mental health gets a boost from artificial intelligence. https://www.cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/study-mental-health-gets-a-boost-from-artificial-intelligence
Digital Health Science. (2025, March 3). AI meets mental health: Wi-Fi-based depression detection for aging populations. https://www.digitalhealthscience.org/2025/03/03/ai-meets-mental-health-wi-fi-based-depression-detection-for-aging-populations
Ettman, C. K., Ringlein, G. V., Dohlman, P., Straub, J., Brantner, C. L., Chin, E. T., … Zandi, P. P. (2025). Trends in mental health care and telehealth use across area deprivation: An analysis of electronic health records from 2016 to 2024. PNAS Nexus, 4(2), pgaf016. https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgaf016
Kim, H. J., Lee, S. H., & Park, M. J. (2024). Virtual reality–based cognitive behavioral therapy for depression in older adults: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Affective Disorders, 355, 150–159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.024
Orthia, L., Maccora, J., & McCallum, J. (2022). “I am trying to keep up to date…but it is moving so fast”: Older Australians’ digital engagement in turbulent times. National Seniors Australia. https://nationalseniors.com.au/research/older-australians-digital-engagement-in-turbulent-times
Pew Research Center. (2023, July 17). Dating at 50 and up: Older Americans’ experiences with online dating. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/07/17/dating-at-50-and-up-older-americans-experiences-with-online-dating
Wall Street Journal. (2025, February 18). The friendly caller who’s helping seniors feel less lonely. https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/the-friendly-caller-whos-helping-seniors-feel-less-lonely-cd21ef54
Wired. (2024, March 21). Boomergasms are booming. WIRED. https://www.wired.com/story/boomergasms-are-booming
Zhang, Y., et al. (2023). Internet use and risk of dementia: A prospective cohort study. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 71(8), 2382–2391. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.18413
Zhou, X., et al. (2024). Ethical challenges in AI-enabled mental health care: A narrative review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15, 1339201. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1339201
