The Geriatric Careable Media project used intelligently-linked and intuitively-operated technology, and gamification, to enable elderly citizens in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia to maintain their independence and enjoy a comfortable home life.
- 23 July 2020
Being able to live self-determined in one's own home with the help of smart technology remains a great challenge for older people. Our project showed that gamification solutions, tailored to this target group, can help improve the acceptance and use of technical support systems.
The project combined technologies and innovation from the health, communication and entertainment sectors with playful approaches like gamification. It was designed specifically for the elderly living alone to remind and motivate them, via their mobile phone for example, to take their medication regularly and monitor things like blood pressure or weight.
The integration of intelligent gamification solutions helped improve their motivation to use the technology. Gamification applies game-design elements, like point-scoring and competition, to other contexts to motivate people to change their behaviour.
Solutions through gamification
The number of elderly people who need help or care is increasing across Europe. Many want to overcome limitations imposed by poor health to continue living in their own home for as long as possible. Assistive environments currently available are often technically complex, difficult to operate and not tailored to the needs of the elderly.
In response, the project partners developed a new modular system to allow users – and carers or relatives – to easily control medical sensors and home automation via smartphone, tablet, notebook, smartwatch, a computer or television.
This approach combined different devices which would not normally be linked. Vital signs like body temperature and blood pressure could be measured on a senior-friendly user interface. The data was displayed in an easily readable and understandable format.
The next level for care devices
The cooperation of various partners and the integration of their wide knowledge base ensured that the various hardware and software components worked together easily.
It is hoped that the Geriatric Careable Media system will be further developed into a sustainable business model that can be marketed beyond Germany.
Its smart technologies could connect businesses like pharmacies, or integrate new services, such as care. Emerging technologies like augmented reality and digital voice assistants, which are still being tested, could increase their scope.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Geriatric Careable Media” is EUR 1 616 171, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 808 085 through the “Nordrhein-Westfalen ERDF” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Strengthening of research, technological development and innovation”.