Information technologies for active and assisted living - Influences to the quality of life of an ageing society

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES The current and upcoming demographic change in industrial countries is a challenge for our society, economically as well as socially. The aim of this article is to explore the influences of information and communication technologies applied to contribute to these trends and describe its impact to the quality of life and subjective health of elderly. METHODS In a structured literature review on (a) scientific publications and (b) outcome reports of ambient assisted living projects, we investigated these associations. The results are summarized according to the multidimensional approach of quality of life considering the bio-psycho-social model of health. The project outcomes of current initiatives are consolidated and recommendations for future research in the field of active and assisted living were issued. RESULTS Current research efforts show that assistive information and communication technologies can successfully contribute to all dimensions of elderly's quality of life. As example technologies can empower them to control their health problems, compensate functional disabilities and increase their safety. Otherwise, remote-communication could lead to reduced face-to-face communication and social exclusion. CONCLUSION More research using adequate methods: and instruments is needed to demonstrate the identified effects and to deliver evidence of the impact to the life of the heterogeneous population group of elderly.