Safe at Home with Assistive Technology

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Frontmatter

2. 1. Human-System Collaboration for Active and Healthy Ageing in and Around the Home – Six Applied Examples from Ambient Sensors, Cubes, Active Walkers to Avatars

   Martin Biallas, Aliaksei Andrushevich, Martin Camenzind, Edith Birrer, Daniel Bolliger, Andreas Rumsch, Rolf Kistler, Andrew Paice

   Abstract

   The essay presents six projects: iSens for an independent living at home that meet the specific requirements of caregiving environments and minimalize false alerts while simultaneously reducing energy consumption. Home4Dem that enhances independent living through non-invasive multisensory data analytics particularly for individuals with cognitive impairments such as dementia. RelaxedCare an unobtrusive connection in care situations to help less ICT literate elderly people. Confidence that aims to provide adaptable mobility and safeguarding assistance services to people, who suffer from mild to moderate forms of dementia. iWalkActive a walker with additional services that greatly improve the user’s mobility in an enjoyable and motivating way to replace traditional rollators. DALIA for daily life at home that uses a virtual personal assistant with a human appearance that supports speech interaction to hide the technical complexity.

3. 2. A Comforting Presence? Emerging Technology’s Role in Palliative Home Care

   Isabel Sophie Burner-Fritsch, Katerina Hriskova, Theresa Sophie Busse

   Abstract

   The subsequent chapter delineates numerous lighthouse projects that explicitly address assistive technologies (AT) in the context of home-based palliative care. The authors demonstrate the extensive scope of palliative care for adults and children, and the manner in which AT can enhance the quality of life of patients, as well as provide support to carers and health professionals. They argue that the prospect of facing the end of life should not be seen as a reason to avoid AT, as it provides a framework for symptom assessment, self-management strategies and communication with applications that have been found to be both beneficial and comforting, including digital interventions, social media support and voice control.

4. 3. Citizen Science in Technology Consulting—The Participatory Innovation Center as a Roadmap for the Caring Community

   Josef M. Huber, Georg M. Huber, David Rester

   Abstract

   The authors share 10 years of experience in the field of international research-based technology consulting in the context of “Aging in Place”. Their results prove that systematically and impartially sharing knowledge and using the grassroots approach is a valid and reliable scientific approach—they call “citizen science”. It needs to be further cultivated and developed and is undergoing a continuous improvement and scaling process through the implementation of the participatory innovation center.

5. 4. Telemonitoring in Health Care—Creating the Potential for a Safer Life at Home with Assistive Technologies DiGas

   Natalie Jankowski, Laura Schönijahn, Antonia Täsch, Michael Wahl

   Abstract

   The demographic development shows that society is getting older and especially rural regions have infrastructural deficiencies in the field of medical care. New technologies in the form of telemonitoring can offer elderly people a needs-based rehabilitative care in their homes. This article presents pilot projects that show new perspectives for the rehabilitation process.

6. 5. Case-Based Analysis of Ethical Aspects in the Use of Technical Support Systems for People with Dementia

   Natalie Jankowski, Michael Wahl

   Abstract

   The authors discuss the use of a GPS watch and a digital communication system in two patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The applied analysis categories refer to the ethical evaluation tool called Model for the Ethical Evaluation of Social-Technical Arrangements (MEESTAR) with its seven categories: Care, self-determination, safety, privacy, equity, participation, and self-image.

7. 6. Assistive Technology for People with Dementia: Ethical Considerations with a Focus on the Use of Tracking Devices

   Hesook Suzie Kim

   Abstract

   Assistive technology (AT) for people with dementia is generally used to improve the quality of life, especially in ensuring safety and prolonging independent living in the community. The AT use for people with dementia raises various ethical issues related to the values of autonomy, personal dignity, privacy, and personhood. The decisions regarding the use of AT devices have to follow systematic examinations of various ethical issues from the perspectives of the person with dementia, family caregivers, and professional providers to ensure that the autonomy, privacy, and personhood are upheld at the same time achieving the highest level of safety and comfort possible for the person with dementia with the AT use.

8. 7. The Rapid Development of Gaze Control—From Medical Aid to Virtual Reality Gadget and Back

   Ingrid Kollak

   Abstract

   Eye tracking has evolved and become more widespread in recent years. Devices have become more robust and the user interfaces more diverse. Eye tracking in therapy and rehabilitation enables greater autonomy and independence, even in cases of severe physical limitations. The reason for this positive development is new areas of application for eye tracking. Virtual games and simulations that use eye-based modeling alone represent two very large and profitable areas. This essay describes the current development and dissemination of this technology and presents the freely available materials from the EyeTrack4all research project. It then examines new areas of application for eye tracking in medical diagnostics and therapy, as well as in pain treatment and rehabilitation.

9. 8. Integrating Technology and Care—Evaluating Assistive Technologies in Outpatient Settings

   Ulrike Lindwedel, Alexander Bejan, Peter König

   Abstract

   Older people prefer to remain in their familiar surroundings for as long as possible, as this gives them a sense of security, identity, and independence, rather than moving into care facilities. As the number of older people living at home rises and professional care resources decline, the demand for assistive technologies grows. However, the evaluation of these technologies often lags behind their development. The authors explore the reasons for it and discuss interdisciplinary, ethical, and outcome-oriented approaches to improve the integration of assistive technologies into everyday care.

10. 9. Digitisation as a Strategy for the Inclusion and Empowerment of Older Adults

    Carmen Llorente-Barroso, María Sánchez-Valle, Mónica Viñarás-Abad

    Abstract

    The subsequent chapter provides a current overview of the opportunities offered by information and communication technology (ICT) for the inclusion and civic participation of older adults. The authors argue that the European Commission should no longer view old age as a social cost and ignore the potential benefits associated with the social inclusion for older people. The authors present current evidence on the impact of the digital divide on the degree of inclusion of older people and the opportunities offered by digitisation for older People’s participation.

11. 10. “I'd Rather do without My Fridge Than My iPad”—A Lifeline in the Digital Age: Case Management Through Technology for Older Adults with Multiple Conditions

    Stefan Schmidt

    Abstract

    The present article focuses on offers of personal-virtual combined case management. A study funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) initially investigated the effects on the independence (self-determination) of older people with multiple illnesses, who live alone and asked about the conditions of acceptance for case management from the perspective of users (Schmidt et al., Scand J Caring Sci, 2019). A subsequent BMBF-funded study built upon these findings, expanding the scope to encompass case management structures. The study centered on the subjective experiences of practice transfer from the perspective of professional case management actors (Schmidt in Ich verzichte lieber auf meinen Kühlschrank als auf mein iPad. medhochzwei Verlag, Heidelberg, S. 181–193, 2023).

12. 11. From Global to Local—Examining Domestic Fall Risks Among Older Adults

    Tuuli Turja, Annika Valtonen, Mira Palonen, Johanna Ruusuvuori, Marja Kaunonen

    Abstract

    The essay shows, how the project Human-Centered Solar Smart Technology Design for Healthy Aging (SOL-TECH) uses a global-to-local approach that allows an integrated broad, evidence-based understanding with locally grounded perspectives. The aim of the research was to make aging in place safer while also promoting ecological responsibility. The steps of the research were: Literature reviews on the various types of fall risk factors and intervention approaches at a global level, examination of local statistics on fall risks to contextualize these findings within the specific regional context, and finally in-depth qualitative interviews to gain nuanced insights into the lived experiences and specific factors influencing the overall fall risk and the opportunities in new generation technologies.

13. 12. Safe at Home with AI Assistance?

    Karin Wolf-Ostermann, Emily Mena, Kathrin Seibert

    Abstract

    This chapter examines the transformative role of AI-driven digital technologies in supporting care-dependent older adults living at home, with a focus on fall detection, prevention, and functional mobility promotion. It highlights how wearable and ambient sensors, combined with AI methods, can monitor mobility, predict fall risk, and detect falls in real time—enabling early intervention, promoting independence, and reducing caregiver burden. Drawing on current research and practical use cases, the chapter explores key implementation requirements and addresses challenges such as digital inequity, user acceptance, data privacy, and ethical concerns. Emphasizing participatory design and scalable solutions, it advocates for inclusive, user-centered approaches that align technological innovation with the lived realities of older adults and caregivers.

14. Backmatter