Assisted living

Demographic changes in the developed world are resulting in greater numbers of people living longer, and surviving disease and injuries.

The proportion of the European population over the age of 65 is expected increase steadily in the coming years, and to reach around 20 per cent by 2020. This coupled with growing numbers of people surviving disabling accidents and illnesses, will result in higher proportions of people living with impairments or chronic conditions[1].

These shifts in the population mean that many people’s homes are not well suited to their needs. They can be difficult to move around or simply no longer as comfortable as they once were. However, for many, living independently, in a home of their own choice is crucial to their sense of wellbeing and autonomy. Modern digital home technology provides a practical system to support independent living, by allowing people to manage multiple systems in the home through a single interface designed to accommodate their needs.

Adapting homes for older and disabled people

As greater numbers of people live into older age or live with disabilities and impairments, more and more find it increasingly difficult to operate the various systems and appliances in their home, and some have become reliant on home help. However the majority of people would much rather stay in their own home than move into institutional accommodation[2]. In some cases, such as dementia, it can be helpful for a person to remain in familiar surroundings for as long as possible[3].

Many devices exist to help support people in their daily lives, from simple bath aids and grab rails to more sophisticated electronic devices which can control heating or lighting systems in the home. However one problem associated with these devices is that when they are installed in a piecemeal fashion the user is left with a number of separate remote controls[4]. Integrating the ability to manage various aspects of the home into one control panel ensures that the user only has to become familiar with one interface, and can access information about what is happening throughout the house from one point, especially ideal for people with less confidence in dealing with new technologies.

Benefits for older and disabled users

Digital home technology offers some real and significant advantages to individuals affected by impairments or illness, most notably in empowering people by making their homes better suited to their needs and leaving them less reliant on help from others[5]. This can be crucial in preserving their sense of autonomy and personal wellbeing.

The technology is able to inform people about what is happening in their home, enabling them to turn off lights or appliances in rooms they are not using without having to climb stairs or make unnecessary journeys to check, which might be particularly strenuous for people with mobility problems. The digital home can have various control mechanisms, such as touch-screen panels, mobile phones, the internet or voice recognition. This means the system set up in a house can be well suited to the individual needs of the user, especially important for people with problems with sight or dexterity, who are unable to use conventional control panels.

The digital home can also provide a safer and more secure environment by alerting someone to any potentially dangerous situations such as the oven being left on. This aspect of the technology can also be used to warn carers or family members if a person is in difficulty. The person living in the home would be able to program the system to alert their next of kin if they had not used appliances or lighting for a certain amount of time, which might indicate they were in difficulty. This could help increase peace of mind for both the user and their loved ones without interfering in the day-to-day lives of the people involved.

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