RESEARCH :: e-Inclusion :: Research – AAL
Major new commitment to ambient assisted living
How information and communication technologies can help Europe's ageing population: Frequently asked questions
Europe's population is ageing rapidly: between 2010 and 2030, the number of people aged from 65 to 80 will rise by nearly 40%, posing enormous challenges to Europe's society and economy. Information and communication technologies (ICT) can help. The new Joint research programme approved on June 23rd, as part of the EUs action plan on "Ageing Well in the Information Society" will develop new ICT solutions which can help improve the quality of life for elder people while creating strong opportunities for European industries working in the ICT sector. Visit the AAL Website for more details on the programme. See the animation: Ageing Well in the Information Society
Why is the Commission concerned about Europe's ageing population?
Healthcare expenditure in Europe is already significant (8.5% of the GDP on average) and rising faster than overall economic growth itself. And Europe's population is ageing fast. The number of people aged from 65 to 80 will significantly increase in the coming decades. By 2020, 25% of the EU will be over 65. This has tremendous implications for the health and social care sectors and creates new requirements for ensuring social inclusion and access to public services.
What are the main obstacles to the use of ICT among elderly people?
Lack of affordability, access, accessibility, skills, motivation and unwillingness to embrace new technologies are common barriers preventing Europeans from benefiting from the information society. In addition, people over 65 often suffer from physical impairments (vision, hearing or dexterity problems) thus increasing their sense of frustration and dependency. Yet, the market for ICT products and services specifically for the elderly is still in its infancy. Reasons include low awareness of the opportunities and user needs, insufficient sharing of experiences, fragmentation of reimbursement and certification schemes, lack of interoperability of ICT systems and high costs of development and validation.
What does "e-Inclusion" mean for the ageing society?
ICT is a key enabler of modern life. It is used at work and at home, as well as for leisure and entertainment. Europe's e-Inclusion policy for the elderly focuses on people's empowerment and participation in the knowledge society and economy, independently of age, gender, income, education and origin.
How can ICT help?
ICT can help the elderly to improve their quality of life, stay healthier, live independently for longer and remain active at work or in their community. A wide range of services could be offered to address daily needs such as:
- Social communication: easy and continuous access to phone and video conversations, overcoming social isolation;
- Daily shopping: easy ordering of goods online for home delivery;
- Safety: security systems to lock/unlock entrance doors and windows or to check for water and/or gas leaks, etc or installation of user friendly interfaces for domestic and other appliances;
- Health: telemedicine from home, wearable systems for monitoring and diagnosis of individuals with a chronic disease (such as heart disease and diabetes).
In many EU countries where over half of people aged 65+ live alone, such technologies can significantly extend the time that elderly people live independently in their own house, while at the same time avoid costs for hospitalisation and provide a basis for additional applications in the future (smart homes, telemonitoring, robotics, embedded systems, biosensors, etc...).
Last update: 13/09/2011
