Abstract
Europe’s social agenda for the “active elderly” is based upon a series of programs that provide a flexible infrastructure for their lives so that they are motivated, engaged in lifelong learning, and contributing to society. Economically speaking, Europe must engage in active aging research in order to avoid unsustainable health costs, and ambient assisted living (AAL) systems provide a platform for the elderly to remain living independently. This paper reviews research conducted within the area of AAL, and offers a taxonomy within which such systems may be classified. This classification distinguishes itself from others in that it categorises AAL systems in a top-down fashion, with the most important categories placed immediately to the left. In this paper, each section is explored further, and AAL systems are the focus. Entire AAL systems still cannot be fully evaluated, but their constituent technical parts can be assessed. The activities of daily living (ADLs) component was given further priority due to its potential for system evaluation, based on its ability to recognise ADLs with reasonable accuracy.
Highlights
Ambient assisted living (AAL) systems enable older individuals to continue living independent lives whilst facilitating their health management as it becomes increasingly complicated.Research suggests that at least 35 percent of those living in care homes could live independent lives with technological assistance, and that 89 percent [1] of older individuals prefer to live in their own homes
Evaluating the efficacy of AAL systems is necessary, and this paper offers for consideration a taxonomy within which current and future AAL
This paper offers a classification within which AAL systems may be categorised
Summary
Ambient assisted living (AAL) systems enable older individuals to continue living independent lives whilst facilitating their health management as it becomes increasingly complicated. Evaluating the efficacy of AAL systems is necessary, and this paper offers for consideration a taxonomy within which current and future AAL systems could be compared and classified according to their primary function. Previous reviews have taken different approaches, yet all failed to provide a framework within which all AAL systems could be classified according to their primary function [5,6]. A comprehensive literature review [9] on platforms and systems [10] provided no taxonomy for researchers, and excluded ambient intelligence (AmI). This paper reviews AAL systems, classifies each according to their primary function, and formulates a taxonomy within which all systems may be accommodated. A standardised taxonomy would facilitate the future creation of a de facto summary of system requirements deemed necessary for system inclusion within each classification category
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
