Active Assisted Living Technology in the Context of the Built Environment

Abstract

Life expectancy has risen over the world, and countries have faced similar issues irrespectively of their geographic location. Supporting ageing and fragile people to increase their personal autonomy is beneficial to their well-being and to society, since it can help to ease the economic and social issues that come with ageing societies. Physical, cognitive, behavioral, and psychiatric impairments, social isolation concerns, and a low quality of life are some of the ageing-related challenges that the population may face due to the demographic change. Active Assisted Living (AAL) technology is gaining popularity to support the elderly to maintain a self-determined life and improve the overall standard of living. It is a key emphasis of gerontechnology, which looks at how technological advancements can support elderly people’s health and well-being. In this chapter, a literature review is conducted to showcase, as well as evaluate, different assisted living technologies in the context of the built environment. The evolving technologies (e.g., assistive technologies, sensory technology, robotics, wireless communication, artificial intelligence) have enabled the development of a variety of ambient or active supported living options. Moreover, different risk factors and ethical concerns in relation to the overall user acceptance are discussed in this chapter. Furthermore, the chapter gives an excursus of AALs in the framework of the pandemic and explores the related fields of application. The chapter concludes with an analysis of the maintaining innovation and implementation barriers that need to be addressed in the near future to establish a built environment which benefits from new technologies and enables elderly people to live a fulfilled and independent life.