A Digital Companion in Russia Helps Seniors Avoid Loneliness

More than 44 million retirees live in Russia, and many of them spend a significant part of their time alone. Their children and grandchildren often live in other cities and cannot be nearby on a daily basis. To support such people, developers created the InterPensioner app.

The app was developed by Russian company InterPensioner JSC, a Skolkovo resident. The service is currently used by more than 500 families across the country. Basic features are available free of charge, while advanced functionality is offered via subscription.

The app is designed for users with little or no smartphone experience. The interface has been heavily simplified, with large buttons, a minimal number of icons, and built-in voice control.

A Digital Caregiver

The core element of the service is a voice-based AI assistant named Sonya. It can recognize speech, remind users to take medication and attend scheduled activities, help them contact relatives, and notify family members if a senior has been offline for an extended period. The assistant also warns users about suspicious calls and can help connect them with utility providers or social services.

An emergency alert button is available for urgent situations. When activated, notifications are immediately sent to relatives.

Help Around the House

In the latest version of the app, developers expanded communication features. Video messages, a well-being indicator, and a section with vetted specialists offering household assistance have been added. Daily short messages with news and simple tasks are also included to encourage regular interaction with the app.

A Complement to Personal Contact

InterPensioner is not intended to replace personal interaction or human care. Its purpose is to keep relatives informed about what is happening with their loved ones and allow them to respond quickly if needed. At the same time, elderly users are not placed under constant surveillance.