Abstract
For most families with elderly relatives, care within their own home is by far the most preferred option -both for the elderly and their carers. However, frequently these carers are the partners of the person with long-term care needs, and themselves are elderly and in need of support to cope with the burdens and stress associated with these duties. When it becomes too much for them, they may have to rely on professional care services, or even use residential care for a respite. In order to support the carers as well as the elderly person, an ambient assisted living platform has been developed. The system records information about the activities of daily living using unobtrusive sensors within the home, and allows the carers to record their own wellbeing state. By providing facilities to schedule and monitor the activities of daily care, and providing orientation and advice to improve the care given and their own wellbeing, the system helps to reduce the burden on the informal carers.
Highlights
The world population is currently suffering progressive ageing which can have dramatic effects on health systems due to increasing costs and a higher demand of socio-healthcare services to maintain the elderly’s independence and quality of life
An enormous interest is growing in the use of technological solutions and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to support elderly people to live independently for longer period in their homes and connect the older adults to geographically dispersed family and friends
Informal carers feel thrown into the caring role without receiving enough assistance, lacking education and training for their role as carers
Summary
The world population is currently suffering progressive ageing which can have dramatic effects on health systems due to increasing costs and a higher demand of socio-healthcare services to maintain the elderly’s independence and quality of life. A significant increase in care responsibilities, which is typically performed by family and friends, appears and implies a need for innovative support approaches for family members and their carers. This demographic change will lead to significant and interrelated modifications in the health care sector and technologies promoting independence for the elderly. An enormous interest is growing in the use of technological solutions and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to support elderly people to live independently for longer period in their homes and connect the older adults to geographically dispersed family and friends. AAL might need to support or collaborate with informal carers, such as relatives and friends, who play important roles in the lives and care of older adults [5] and [6]
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