Illusory competence vs. real needs a cross-sectional study on the mismatch in Smart Senior Care (SSC) perceptions...

Smart Senior Care (SSC) is vital for aging populations, yet its success depends on aligning end-users' (older adults) needs with future providers' (nursing students) perceptions. Limited research directly compares these groups to reveal supply-demand discrepancies.

To compare self-perceived SEC knowledge, privacy concerns, and service preferences between community-dwelling older adults and nursing students, and to identify supply-demand misalignments relevant to education and service design.

A comparative cross-sectional survey was conducted in Chongqing, China (June-September 2025) using convenience sampling (older adults, n = 280; nursing students, n = 171). A Delphi-validated questionnaire assessed perceived SEC knowledge, privacy concerns, and preferences across five SEC domains. Group differences were tested using Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests. Logistic regression examined predictors of students' intention to work in SEC. Economic pathways linking income, satisfaction, and willingness-to-pay among older adults were explored using Sankey analysis.

Nursing students reported higher perceived SEC knowledge and lower privacy concern than older adults (both p < 0.001). Students prioritized technology- and monitoring-oriented services (e.g., health monitoring, medical nursing), whereas older adults more often emphasized daily-life assistance and emotional support. Educational intervention was the strongest predictor of students' career intention in SEC (OR = 2.85, 95% CI 1.45-5.60, p < 0.05). Lower service satisfaction was consistently associated with lower willingness-to-pay across income groups.

Substantial perception gaps exist between future providers and older adults regarding SEC, particularly around privacy and non-medical needs. Integrating user-centered, community-based training and digital ethics into nursing curricula, while prioritizing service quality and trust-building in SEC design, may improve adoption and sustainability.