Eine Kurzfassung der Studie können Sie hier herunterladen.

The study was supposed to deliver supporting information to start an action plan with member states on "Independent Living for the Elderly". It should provide a better understanding of member states approaches, strategies and results, including barriers, on "Independent Living for the Elderly" before proposing an action plan in the context of the flagship initiative of the i2010 action plan.

Best practices should be identified and key actors in areas of the Independent Living spectrum like smart homes, social support and care, personal communication, healthcare, medical support, accessibility, mobility, etc. and, based on evidences and plans from member states, propose practical plans and initiatives for integrated approach, analysis commonalities, and synergies.

The study itself was performed in parallel to the political decision process to establish a new funding programme "Ambient Assisted Living" (AAL) based on article 169 of the Maastricht treaty. The programme's outcome is explicitly addressing the study title. It aims to extend the time that people can live independently in their own home environment. Within this new funding programme, addressing the common European demographic development, up-take and deployment of ICT will play a crucial role. One of the results of the study is the finding that the preparation of the Ambient Assisted Living Joint Programme had its first impacts already by the establishment of few national programmes and the conduction of several national calls for R&D proposals in related areas.

Study funded by:
European Commission, DG Information Society and Media
Directorate ICT for Citizens and Businesses
ICT for Health Unit