Older adults are increasingly turning to conversational AI for emotional expression. While prior research has examined general attitudes toward AI companionship, little is known about the specific moments when and why older adults choose AI over close others for emotional support. This study addresses this gap by examining the moment-level conditions that shape these decisions in everyday life. Drawing on interviews with 18 older adults, we identify three contextual factors: temporal unavailability of human contacts, relational considerations around burden and evaluation, and self-presentation concerns tied to dignity and face-saving. Our findings reveal how age-related needs for independence, dignity, and valued self-presentation shape these everyday decisions. This work shifts attention from general patterns of AI use to the moment-level circumstances in which emotionally supportive engagement emerges. By foregrounding these situated dynamics, we provide an empirical foundation for context-sensitive responsible AI design and future research on emotional support-seeking in later life.

翻译：老年人日益倾向于向对话式AI进行情感表达。尽管先前研究已探讨了对AI陪伴的普遍态度，但对于老年人在何时及为何选择AI而非亲密他人来获取情感支持的具体情境，目前仍知之甚少。本研究通过考察日常生活中影响此类决策的即时情境条件，以填补这一空白。基于对18位老年人的访谈，我们识别出三个情境因素：人际接触的时间不可得性、围绕负担与评价的关系考量，以及与尊严和面子相关的自我呈现顾虑。我们的研究结果揭示了与年龄相关的独立性、尊严及有价值的自我呈现需求如何塑造这些日常决策。本研究将关注点从AI使用的普遍模式转向情感支持性互动产生的即时情境。通过凸显这些情境化动态，我们为情境敏感的责任型AI设计以及晚年情感求助行为的未来研究提供了实证基础。