The initiative will develop new technologies to help women and men in their daily living and working environment. The aim is to enable people to stay active longer in the workplace, remain socially connected and live independently into old age.
"Thousands of lonely pensioners have gone a full month without speaking to family or neighbours in the past year", according to a study by charity Help the Aged. The study shows the bleak picture of isolation for many older people.
Neena Gill MEP, who steered the report through the European Parliament, said: "Assisted Living Technology must be adapted to the needs of the elderly, services must respect the privacy and dignity of the elderly and support for independent living must contribute to increased social participation on the part of the elderly."
"Increasingly, elderly citizens who live on their own are faced with challenges not only to their health and safety but also to their mental and social wellbeing. Many elderly people find it difficult to leave their homes or communicate with friends and family on a regular basis, causing them to become isolated. These new technologies can help the elderly remain independent and stay in touch with friends and family as well as maintaining an active social life." states Neena Gill MEP.
The EU-wide programme for independent living will focus on developing new technologies and exchange knowledge with other EU countries. Technologies being developed will assist with challenges the elderly face including loss of memory, vision, hearing and mobility. ICT for independent living can be as simple as an alarm button reminder to take medication or a sophisticated system that can predict when an older person is at risk of falling or a heart attack.
For more information please call the European Parliamentary Labour Party press officer, Silke Thomson on +32 479 790 053.
