The Social/Non-Technical Challenges in Developing Technology to Support Elderly Care - "The TeleCARE Experience"

One of the biggest challenges facing European society in the years ahead is the fact that our population is aging at an alarming rate. If by the year 2020, current forecasts prove accurate, then by that time we will see a ratio of 1 adult below pensionable age to 4 elderly people. It is not surprising therefore that, initiatives such as raising the retirement age are under debate. But this will not address the issue of elderly care. New approaches must be found to providing easily accessible, affordable, quality care so that the elderly in our society do not become isolated and marginalized. Advances in network technologies can provide new opportunities for development but such developments, if to be successful, must consider the social issues involved. This article presents the approach to addressing social/non-technical issues, and some conclusions drawn by the partners involved in IST project, TeleCARE.