Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
contacts with friends and
family, including giving
reassurance
user-friendly communications
local media, local activities,
employment/occupation, voluntary
work
physical, social and mental
stimulation
little local and personalized
content available
tele-health sensors, medication
reminders, medication
management
healthcare in my home,
comfort, peace of mind
presently tele-care and health
systems incompatible
certainty that my carers will
come
electronic carer monitoring and
communication
how?, can one team deliver?,
cross-organizational issues with
respect to business models and
responsibilities
appropriate response when
things go wrong, peace of mind
appropriate response team,
proactive calling
These should be adapted to individual needs, which will change over time due to
specific episodes like rehabilitation after hospital treatment or degeneration, and made
available to clients in an easy-to-use way.
The users of the systems can be divided into different target groups. The primary
target group is of course elder or disabled people but it should also be remembered that
the people who care for them (e.g. family, neighbours, home-care nurses, staff from
community centres and in special situations also emergency personnel) are also
important users, who might even use services from their own location. The systems
should also support interaction between the prime users and carers as well as the
scheduling and if necessary re-scheduling of care events.
We should also be aware that the location of assistance will vary. Examples are:
different type living locations, like the family home, home for seniors,
supported or sheltered housing or apartment, nursing home etc., depending on
the needs of the primary user;
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people on the move, e.g. walking, cycling, driving your car, being a passenger
in a car or taxi or public transport;
visiting locations such as homes of families, workplaces, or public spaces e.g.
shops or museums;
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location of people (family, neighbours, professional carers) who are involved
in caring for people who belong to the primary target group.
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Such factors lead to the consideration of the need to support clients in a person-
centred way (geared towards the primary user, at the different locations and taking the
situation into account, e.g. with respect to environmental sensors at various locations)
and to support care givers in a more task-oriented way.
This AAL support can be classified in various application domains. The following
have been selected for this document:
Ageing well at home: enjoying a healthier and higher quality of daily life for a
longer time, assisted by technology, while maintaining a high degree of
independence, autonomy and dignity.
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