According to Eurostat statistics, the proportion of elderly people in Europe is increasing immensely. While fewer children are born, death is prolonged and people become older. This scenario of demographic changes in the western world raises questions to which answers are rather unclear, as for instance: Who will care for the elderly and how will this look like?
The answer to this question may be ambient assisted living (AAL), a branch of information and communication technologies (ICT) aiming at keeping elderly persons as independent as possible in their familiar surroundings in order to postpone hospitalization.
The EU plays a major role in developing AAL solutions and enhancing research in the area of ICT, as depicted by the 6th framework programme 2002-2006 or the EU’s e-inclusion policy featuring the Digital Agenda 2010, just to name examples (European Commission, 2002; 2007; 2010). However, it remains questionable which challenges AAL – seen as an innovation – faces.
The aim of the research in this thesis is to present the field of AAL with relation to home care. Furthermore, the work of the European Union (EU) in the field of AAL is presented, as the EU is a major key player in enhancing research on AAL solutions that help meeting the demands of the future. Moreover, a categorization scheme of AAL solutions is developed through research evidence. Eventually, knowledge and evidence from the research conducted is used to give recommendations for the future concerning the diffusion of AAL and research directions.
In order to answer the research question and the objectives, the thesis first presents the theoretical framework that is used for the research, i.e. the Diffusion of Innovations Theory. Thereafter, a chapter on the methodology follows, which is characterized by a dual nature, as it involves a document analysis and a systematic literature review. Subsequently, the paper presents the results of the research, divided into EU actions and initiatives and ambient assisted living at a glance with categorizations of its types and related challenges. Finally, the last chapter discusses the findings, answers the research question and gives recommendations on how the diffusion of AAL can be enhanced.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 Central research question and objectives
1.3 Methodological approach and structure of the thesis
2. Theoretical framework
2.1 Diffusion of Innovations theory
2.2 Application of the Diffusion of Innovations theory
3. Methodology
3.1 Nature of the research
3.2 Steps in the research procedure
3.3 Review of EU policies, projects, and initiatives
3.4 Review of studies on AAL
3.5 Reliability and validity
4. Results
4.1 EU actions towards AAL
4.2 Ambient Assisted Living at a glance
4.3 Main Results
5. Discussion
5.1 Discussion of AAL on grounds of the Diffusion of Innovations theory
5.2 Discussion of methods
5.3 Answer to the research question
5.4 Recommendations and conclusion
Objectives and Scope
This thesis investigates the role of Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) in addressing the challenges posed by demographic change in Europe. By analyzing European Union policies and conducting a systematic literature review, the work seeks to identify the added value of these technologies to elderly care and the barriers hindering their widespread adoption.
- The impact of demographic shifts on elderly care and independence.
- The role of the European Union in fostering ICT-based health and care solutions.
- Categorization of AAL technologies based on their function and purpose.
- Identification of technical, design, and acceptance-related challenges for AAL.
- Evaluation of AAL diffusion strategies using Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations theory.
Excerpt from the Thesis
Categorization of solutions
As categorizations and clear definitions in the area of AAL are either missing or contradictory, all AAL solutions from the systematic literature review were grouped according to their type. The total amount of mentioned or discussed solutions was 40. As even solutions targeted at the same purpose, as for instance at fall detection, considerably differ in their technology used, a simple categorization system had to be developed which solely concentrates on the purpose of the respective solution without demanding advanced technological knowledge. However, it is essential to know that an AAL solution is always constituted of the interplay of hardware and software. The most often used hardware components are sensors and motion capturing systems/cameras, which in 21st century open up possibilities beyond belief. These components correspond with software modules, usually situated in the near environment. Depending on the respective solution, the hard- and software either identifies certain events or supports and interacts with the user. In order to generally present the solutions from the articles, a mutually exclusive classification system had to be developed, categorizing AAL solutions into four domains. Thereby, every solution from the systematic literature review could be allocated to a domain.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the background of demographic change and introduces Ambient Assisted Living as a technological response, defining the research question and objectives.
2. Theoretical framework: Outlines the Diffusion of Innovations theory as the analytical lens for understanding how AAL technologies are adopted within social systems.
3. Methodology: Details the dual-method approach, consisting of document analysis for EU policy review and a systematic literature review for scientific evidence.
4. Results: Provides findings on EU initiatives supporting AAL and presents the categorization of existing technologies and their associated challenges.
5. Discussion: Evaluates AAL against the characteristics of successful innovations, addresses the limitations of the methodology, answers the research question, and offers future recommendations.
Keywords
Ambient Assisted Living, AAL, Demographic change, Elderly care, ICT, European Union, Diffusion of Innovations, Innovation adoption, Fall detection, Assistive technology, Technology acceptance, Telemedicine, e-Inclusion, Health monitoring, User-centered design.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this thesis?
The thesis explores how Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) technologies can help mitigate the impacts of an aging population in Europe, focusing on both their current implementation by the EU and their practical challenges.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
Key themes include European digital health policy, categorization of elderly care technologies (such as fall detection and biometric monitoring), user acceptance, and the technological barriers to widespread diffusion.
What is the main research question?
The research asks what the EU-added value of AAL for elderly care is and what specific challenges currently hinder the diffusion of these innovative technologies.
Which methodology is employed?
The study utilizes a secondary research approach, combining a document analysis of official EU policy papers with a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed articles.
What is analyzed in the main body?
The main body examines EU funding programs and strategies (like the AAL Joint Programme), categorizes technological solutions based on their function, and identifies challenges categorized by technical, design, and user acceptance factors.
Which theory frames the analysis?
The analysis is framed by Everett M. Rogers' "Diffusion of Innovations" theory, evaluating AAL against factors like observability, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and re-invention.
How does the author define the "interplay of solutions"?
The author highlights the need for AAL technologies to be interoperable and integrated rather than working in isolation to successfully meet the complex needs of the elderly.
What is the conclusion regarding user acceptance?
The research concludes that acceptance is a significant hurdle, as current elderly generations may lack the technological familiarity or trust to embrace systems that collect sensitive health and lifestyle data.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Franz Gosch (Autor:in), 2012, Ambient Assisted Living for the Elderly - Solutions to master the demographic change, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/213337
