Technologies to live more independent and active lives for longer
Saint Gallen, Switzerland – 26/28 September 2016
The AAL Forum 2016 was a huge success, with 39 exhibitors, 39 matchmaking meetings, 30 interactive sessions, 6 tracks and more than 450 delegates all gathering in St Gallen, Switzerland, to consider how to get ICT solutions that help older people live more connected, healthy lives at home for longer to market. Innovations ready for breakthrough was the mantra at the annual AAL Forum 2016, which took place in St Gallen, Switzerland at the end of last month, with more than 450 researchers, technologists, start-up companies, investors, policy makers, health professionals, care associations and, of course, older people, gathering to discuss ICT and healthy ageing.
The AAL Programme is an EU-funded programme dedicated to supporting research on innovative ICT-enhanced services for ageing, and the Forum is its annual event that brings together a wide and diverse range of key stakeholders in this market. The growing ageing population is a major challenge facing European society, with the rising costs of long-term care and the challenges that affect the daily lives of older adults living longer with chronic disease put more and more pressure on our services.
However, the power of technology is now helping to give independence back to older adults, and demand for solutions that improve the quality of life for them and their carers is soaring. New, exciting devices, the internet of things and older people becoming more familiar with technology are all helping to open up massive possibilities. The AAL recognizes this as a major opportunity and the Programme has been funding research for more than eight years to help integrate people into society for longer using ICT, while simultaneously nurturing a new market that can help boost the economy. And it is now working hard to ensure that this research is delivering the products and services needed to meet the needs of older people in society. Many at the AAL Forum believe now that the market for these solutions is ready to be fully exploited and that AAL innovations are ready for breakthrough… read more