Smart homes for older people involved in rehabilitation activities - reality or dream, acceptance or rejection?

Abstract Introduction Recent statistics show an increase in the prevalence of the elderly population. The year 2012 was declared European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations, and the European Commission launched campaigns like The Active and Assisted Living Joint Program (AAL JP). Rehabilitation in the elderly is a desideratum, but the problems of rehabilitation in the elderly are numerous. The aim of the study was to evaluate degree of acceptance/implementation of different technologies in Romania, of monitoring in the rehabilitation activity conducted at home. Material and methods the study comprised 154 persons with a mean age of 73.37 ± 7.33 years, of which 64 (41.6%) male and 90 (58.4%) female. All subjects completed a questionnaire regarding the living conditions and health status, about the degree of acceptance of intelligent technologies for monitoring current health status/reporting acute events. Results 18.2% used the Internet frequently, and the rest used it almost never or rarely. 71.9 % of patients agreed to wear a portable sensor (p=0.07 between men and women), 33.1% accepted videocam, 47.4% accepted a screen, 41.3% accepted living room monitoring, 68% sensor in the room on the wall and 69.1% accepted fall detection sensor. No significant differences were found regarding the acceptance vs rejection of personal sensors, living room monitoring, sensors in the room, fall detection sensors depending on the gender, income level, type of caregiving. Using of videocam and screen was influenced by type of care giving and income (p=0.002, p<0.001, respectively for screen p=0.032 and p=0.003). In conclusion, Romanian old people are not keen on using intelligent devices for health status related to acute event monitoring. More programs and measures are needed for device implementation in real life.