Skip to main content

International Initiatives in Technology and Aging

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Technologies for Active Aging

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of some of the initiatives and activities in the area of gerontechnology that have emerged in different parts of the world. While it is not possible to provide a comprehensive and exhaustive review of the world scene, the aim is to highlight selected research in different geographical regions, specifically Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific, and research at different levels: national, regional, and international. The chapter begins with a description of an international program, Everyday Technologies for Alzheimer’s Care (ETAC), funded through a partnership between the Alzheimer’s Association and the INTEL Corporation and designed to develop technological solutions for people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and their caregivers and families. The second section focuses on emerging research on technology and aging in the Asia-Pacific region. The third section focuses on national-level programs and describes work being carried out in the UK funded by government agencies such as the Environment and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The fourth section describes the very extensive program of work being funded by the European Union under the Ambient Assisted Living Joint Programme. The chapter concludes by identifying some of the key common themes within the various research programs described and discusses the drivers, emerging directions, and opportunities in a rapidly expanding global research landscape.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • AALIANCE. (2009). Ambient assisted living roadmap. Retrieved from http://www.aaliance.eu/public/documents

  • AALIANCE. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.aal-europe.eu/about-us

  • Bas, E., Erdogmus, D., Ozertem, U., & Pavel, M. (2008). Towards fish-eye camera based in-home activity assessment. Conference Proceedings – IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2008, 2558–2561.

    Google Scholar 

  • Becker, S. A., & Webbe, F. M. (2008). The potential of hand-held assistive technology to improve safety for elder adults aging in place. In K. Henriksen, J. Battles, M. Keyes, & M. Grady (Eds.), Advances in patient safety: New directions and alternative approaches (Technology and Medication Safety, Vol. 4). Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bien, Z. Z. (2010). Human-friendly system approach in a robotic smart home for older persons. Gerontechnology, 9(2), 162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, S. T., Chan, A. C. M., & Phillips, D. R. (2008). Ageing trends in Asia and the Pacific. In UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (Ed.), Regional dimensions of the ageing situation (pp. 35–69). New York: United Nations.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dale, C. L., Simpson, G. V., Foxe, J. J., Luks, T. L., & Worden, M. S. (2008). ERP correlates of anticipatory attention: Spatial and non-spatial specificity and relation to subsequent selective attention. Experimental Brain Research, 188, 45–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DH. (2010). Whole systems demonstrators: An overview of telecare and telehealth. Accessed May 19, 2011 from ­http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_100947.pdf

  • DH. (2011). Whole Systems Demonstrator Project: Headline figures. Retrieved from http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_131684

  • Donnelly, M. P., Nugent, C. D., Craig, D., Passmore, P., & Mulvenna, M. (2008). Development of a cell phone-based video streaming system for persons with early stage Alzheimer’s disease. Conference Proceedings – IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2008, 5330–5333.

    Google Scholar 

  • EU. (2007a). European i2010 initiative on e-Inclusion (Published on the 8th November 2007). Accessed January 6, 2012 from http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/einclusion/docs/i2010_initiative/comm_native_com_2007_0694_f_en_acte.pdf

  • EU. (2007b). European i2010 initiative on ageing well in the information society (Published on the 14th June 2007). Accessed January 6, 2012 from http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2007:0332:FIN:EN:PDF

  • EU. (2008). Overview of the ambient assisted living programme. Accessed January 6, 2012 from http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/einclusion/docs/ageing/aal_overview.pdf

  • Fisk, M. (2003). Social alarms to telecare: Older people’s services in transition. Bristol: Policy.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grierson, L. E. M., Zelek, J., Lam, I., Black, S. E., & Carnahan, H. (2011). Application of a tactile way-finding device to facilitate navigation in persons with dementia. Assistive Technology, 23(2), 108–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, T. L., Abendroth, F., Adami, A., Pavel, M., Zitzelberger, T. A., & Kaye, J. A. (2008). Unobtrusive assessment of activity patterns associated with mild cognitive impairment. Alzheimers Dementia, 4, 395–405.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Internet World Statistics. (2010). World internet users and population stats. Accessed March 21, 2011 from http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm

  • King’s College London and the University of Reading. (2004). Introducing assistive technology into the existing homes of older people: Feasibility, acceptability, costs and outcomes. London: Institute of Gerontology King’s College London. ISBN 1-872342-17-5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinsella, K., & Phillips, D. R. (2005). Global aging: The challenge of success. Population Bulletin, 60(1), 1–40 (available on http://www.prb.org)

    Google Scholar 

  • KT-EQUAL. (2009). Assistive technologies: What is their place in the mainstream market? Accessed May 19, 2011 from http://kt-equal.org.uk/uploads/monographs/assistive_technologies_monograph.pdf

  • Lab4Living. (2011). Future bathroom. Accessed May 19, 2011 from http://www.lab4living.org.uk/future-bathroom

  • Mahoney, D. F., Mahoney, E. L., & Liss, E. (2009). AT EASE: Automated Technology for Elder Assessment, Safety, and Environmental monitoring. Gerontechnology, 8(1), 11–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Massimi, M., Berry, E., Browne, G., Smyth, G., Watson, P., & Baecker, R. M. (2008). An exploratory case study of the impact of ambient biographical displays on identity in a patient with Alzheimer’s disease. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 18(5–6), 742–765.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCreadie, C. (2010). Technology and older people. In C. Phillipson & D. Dannefer (Eds.), The handbook of gerontology (pp. 607–617). London: Sage.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, I., Muller, S., & Kubitschke, L. (2012). AAL markets—knowing them, reaching them: Evidence from European research. In Augusto et al. (Eds.), Handbook of ambient assisted living. Amsterdam: IOS Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mihailidis, A., Boger, J., Craig, T., & Hoey, J. (2008). The COACH prompting system to assist older adults with dementia through handwashing: An efficacy study. BMC Geriatrics, 7, 8–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • MRC. (2011). Life long health and wellbeing. Accessed May 19, 2011 from http://www.mrc.ac.uk/Ourresearch/ResearchInitiatives/LLHW/index.htm

  • NDA. (2011). New dynamics of ageing. Accessed 19 May, 2011 from http://www.newdynamics.group.shef.ac.uk/

  • Ng, J. S.-L., Tan, O. Y.-L., Koh, W.-K., Tay, Z. Y.-C., Wong, A. H.-Y., & Helander, M. G. (2010). Needs and attitudes of older adults and their families in Singapore towards smart homes. Gerontechnology, 9(2), 162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ong, F.-S., Phillips, D. R., & Hamid, T. A. (2009). Ageing in Malaysia: Progress and prospects. In T. H. Fu & R. Hughes (Eds.), Ageing in East Asia: Challenges and policies for the twenty-first century (pp. 138–160). London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parsons, T. D., Silva, M., Pair, J., & Rizzo, A. A. (2008). Virtual environment for assessment of neurocognitive functioning: Virtual reality cognitive performance assessment test. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 132, 351–356.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, D. R., Chan, A. C. M., & Cheng, S.-T. (2010). Ageing in a global context: The Asia-­Pacific region. In C. Phillipson & D. Dannefer (Eds.), The handbook of gerontology (pp. 430–446). London: Sage.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Population Reference Bureau. (2010). 2010 World population data sheet. Washington, DC: PRB.

    Google Scholar 

  • SICEX. (2008). Convention & exhibition to highlight potential of billion dollar silver-hair market. Retrieved from http://app1.mcys.gov.sg/PressRoom/SICEX2008ConventionExhibitiontoHighlight.aspx

  • Sixsmith, A. (2006). New technologies to support independent living and quality of life for people with dementia. Alzheimer’s Care Quarterly, 7(3), 194–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Soar, J. (2010). Smart home and assistive technology developments in Australia. Gerontechnology, 9(2), 161.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sorrell, J. A., & Sorrell, J. M. (2008). Music as a healing art for older adults. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 46, 21–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • The SMART Consortium. (2011). Accessed May 19, 2011 from http://www.thesmartconsortium.org/

  • Tsang, P. (2010) Tele ageing care: A case study of tele diabetes management system (TDMMS), Gerontechnology, 9 (2), 160–161

    Google Scholar 

  • TSB. (2011). Assisted living. Accessed from http://www.innovateuk.org/ourstrategy/innovationplatforms/assistedliving.ashx

  • Tyrer, H. W., Alwan, M., Demiris, G., He, Z., Keller, J., Skubic, M., et al. (2006). Technology for successful aging. Conference Proceedings – IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 1, 3290–3293.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tyrer, H. N., Aud, M. A., Alexander, G., Skubic, M., & Rantz, M. (2007). Early detection of health changes in older adults. Conference Proceedings – IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2007, 4045–4048.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andrew Sixsmith .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Sixsmith, A., Carrillo, M., Phillips, D., Lansley, P., Woolrych, R. (2013). International Initiatives in Technology and Aging. In: Sixsmith, A., Gutman, G. (eds) Technologies for Active Aging. International Perspectives on Aging, vol 9. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8348-0_12

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics