Samsung has expanded the capabilities of its SmartThings platform to better support families caring for aging relatives, introducing enhanced monitoring features through connected home devices and wearables. The update, announced on April 16, 2026, strengthens the SmartThings Family Care service with new tools designed to provide peace of mind for caregivers while respecting the independence and privacy of older adults living alone or apart from family.
The enhanced service now integrates activity tracking, medication reminders, and safety alerts using data from Samsung smart appliances, Galaxy smartphones, and compatible wearables. Caregivers can receive notifications about changes in daily routines, such as missed meals or prolonged inactivity, which may indicate health concerns. These features build on the original Family Care service launched in 2024, which focused on basic check-ins and appointment reminders.
According to Samsung’s official announcement, the updated Family Care service includes Care On Call, which allows family members to initiate video check-ins through connected devices like TVs and Family Hub refrigerators. The system as well uses location-based alerts to notify caregivers when a loved one arrives safely at or departs from familiar locations, such as home or a medical facility.
Jaeyeon Jung, Executive Vice President and Head of the SmartThings Team at Samsung Electronics, emphasized the role of AI in enabling proactive care: “Samsung’s AI technology goes beyond everyday convenience to help users care for themselves and their families with greater peace of mind.” She added that SmartThings aims to seamlessly connect daily life with intelligent services that adapt to individual family needs.
The update expands Family Care integration to include Galaxy Now Brief, a personalized summary service available on Galaxy devices that now incorporates home security, family care, and pet care updates. Samsung plans to roll out Now Brief to TVs and Family Hub refrigerators in phases, allowing users to access care-related information directly from their kitchen or living room appliances.
Privacy remains a central component of the service. Care recipients can customize what information they share with caregivers and can revoke access at any time. This approach ensures that monitoring supports autonomy rather than infringing on personal boundaries, a design principle highlighted in both the August 2025 update and the April 2026 announcement.
SmartThings Family Care is available in over 200 countries and continues to evolve through partnerships with healthcare providers and smart device manufacturers. The service relies on existing Samsung ecosystem devices, meaning users do not require to purchase additional hardware to access core features, though compatibility varies by product model and region.
By leveraging ambient sensing and behavioral analysis through everyday devices—such as tracking movement patterns via robot vacuums or monitoring appliance usage—Samsung aims to detect early signs of cognitive decline or physical deterioration without requiring wearables or intrusive surveillance. All data processing occurs locally on devices when possible, reducing reliance on cloud transmission and enhancing data security.
The April 2026 update reflects Samsung’s broader strategy to position SmartThings not just as a smart home platform, but as a tool for holistic well-being. As global populations age and more families navigate long-distance caregiving, technologies like Family Care offer a scalable way to support aging in place while maintaining familial connections.
For users interested in setting up SmartThings Family Care, Samsung provides step-by-step guidance through the SmartThings app and partner.smartthings.com. The setup process has been simplified to allow care recipients to join using a single invitation link, even if they are unfamiliar with smartphone applications.
As smart home technology continues to intersect with health and wellness, Samsung’s approach demonstrates how AI and connectivity can be applied thoughtfully to address real-world challenges in family caregiving—without compromising on usability, privacy, or dignity.
For the latest updates on SmartThings Family Care and related Samsung health initiatives, users are encouraged to visit the official Samsung Newsroom or the SmartThings support page.
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