Realizing Smart Homes for Ageing in Place: The Role of the Building Regulations

Abstract

Demographic change has imposed financial strain on the healthcare system in the UK. In the face of such challenge, the concept of ‘ageing in place’ was introduced by nation policies to support older people to remain living in their own house. Smart home was identified as having information and communication technologies to offer medical services and assist independent living. Often the installation of these technologies requires alterations to the building’s structures and spaces, which is subject to the building regulations. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the UK’s building regulations for facilitating smart home technology to support ageing at home. The method drew on a combination of literature review, content analysis, and critical evaluations. The understanding of the relationships between ageing in place, smart homes and the building regulations was shaped by academic and nonacademic research literature. Content analysis and critical evaluation found that the implementation and development of smart homes posed new challenges to the building regulations.