The Hindu : Front Page : Digital solutions to serve the elderly

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 25, 2008
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Digital solutions to serve the elderly

Smart devices to improve security and interfaces for those with impaired vision or hearing

— Photo: AP

An elderly man in Lyon, central France.

BRUSSELS: European Union (E.U.) member-States have agreed to develop innovative digital products and services to improve the lives of older people at home, in the workplace and in society in general.

The plan foresees smart devices for improving security at home, mobile solutions for vital-signs monitoring and user-friendly interfaces for those with impaired vision or hearing.

The plan, proposed by the European Commission in June 2007, had already been approved by the European Parliament in March 2008 in a first reading. Twenty EU member states, as well as Israel, Norway and Switzerland would participate in this € 600 million joint research project called “Ambient Assisted Living” programme.

Between now and 2013, another € 400 million are allocated to research and innovation for the elderly people under the E.U.’s seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development. “There is no reason for older people in Europe to miss out on the benefits of new technologies. The solutions and services resulting from this program will help them to remain active in society as well as staying socially connected and independent for a longer time,” said Viviane Reding, E.U. Commissioner for the information society and media.

The E.U. is a fast aging society. By 2020, a quarter of its population will be over 65 of age. Spending on pensions, health and long-term care is expected to increase by 4 per cent to 8 per cent of GDP in the coming decades. E.U. research and innovation in “aging well technologies” has already had a successful track record in creating innovative digital solutions for the elderly. Two examples are MobilAlarm, a tracking service allowing older persons to initiate an alarm call and get support whenever and wherever they need or want to do so, and I2HOME, the world’s first standardised remote control for domestic appliances, making televisions, heating systems, microwaves and washing machines more accessible for people with physical or cognitive impairments. — Xinhua

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