Illusory competence vs. real needs a cross-sectional study on the mismatch in Smart Senior Care (SSC) perceptions between nursing students and older adults

Background 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. Objectives 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. Methods 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. Results 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. Conclusion 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.