expectancy should never again be described as ‘an ageing problem’. It should be positive that for the first time in the history of the human race we can reach such ages, but developments in the care given to elderly people are intrinsic to this. Of course, we still have illnesses such as dementia
and Alzheimer’s disease that cause great problems for ageing people, and we still require care for these ageing people, but the AAL JP is
important for
providing support to these carers. Family members are still the number one carers of the elderly in Europe, and the pressure upon these people is gigantic. We currently have a large burnout rate among these carers; people struggle to maintain the high levels of care required, and the AAL JP will help to provide a break in this pressure. For example modern technology can be used to help elderly people become more involved in their own care, and allow them more opportunity to communicate with their doctors, encouraging independence and decreasing the responsibility placed upon their carers. One must also be aware that elderly people should be given the opportunity to work as
long as
possible. As long as people still have a desire to work, as long as they are still able, and as long as governments still provide the financial
The implementation of modern technologies in the support
necessary, then they should be able to work. It has been known for governments to discourage people from working because this means caring for them is easier, but this can be avoided thanks to the use of modern technology.
“...we still have illnesses such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease that cause great problems for ageing people, and we still require care for these ageing people, but the AAL JP is important for providing support to these carers”
It is true that elderly people can sometimes be
resistant to adopting new technology; they have not had the chance to learn how to use computers over the course of their careers, and modern technological interfaces can be daunting, but this is an issue that I believe will be addressed by the AAL JP. The world of mobile telephones has already demonstrated that elderly people are capable of using new technology; no technology has been accepted so successfully as the mobile phone, and it is clear that potential problems of resistance can be overcome if we follow this example.
www.projectsmagazine.eu.com
caring of the elderly has been driven by innovation, but we are not solely talking about technological innovation, we
are also talking about social
innovation. The use of ICT and corresponding technologies must be accompanied by new and innovative caring structures, and combined with new commercial
interests. This
Heinz K. Becker
combination of
technological, social and commercial innovation has been encouraged and made possible by the European Commission’s Social Business Initiative, an initiative that provides support
to enterprises
prioritising serving the community’s interest over maximising profit. I very much appreciate the European Commission’s
decision to renew the Ambient Assisted Living Joint Programme. The achievements of
the associated
projects are unbelievable, the levels of medical care now available to elderly people have significant benefits, and the support they provide for the carers themselves is very impressive. These carers have a large burden to bear, and I believe that these ICT related projects are one of the best ways to help. However, my appreciation for this programme is not
limited to the social benefits. As Secretary-General of the Austrian Senior Citizen’s Association, I have an
interest in the financial benefits of such
programmes. I am keen on projects that have a benefit to economic growth, and it has been shown that since 2008 the AAL JP has helped SMEs to provide new jobs in 120 projects over 19 different countries. There is a large amount of cooperation between
political parties on this issue, there is no ideological barrier that will hinder us in bringing it forward, and I am confident that there will be optimum support for what the directors of the programme intend. This is indeed a programme that will greatly benefit health of society in general.
the AAL JP has helped SMEs to provide new jobs in
120 projects over 19
different countries
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