Age-Appropriate Assistance Systems (AAL; Ambient Assisted Living)

Age-appropriate assistance systems are technical solutions that enable older people and those with chronic illnesses to lead independent and safe lives in their own homes. They represent a potential response to the challenges posed by demographic change. With the help of networked technologies, the home is upgraded to become a health-focused environment. The umbrella term for this is Ambient Assisted Living (AAL). These systems compensate for minor and major limitations associated with ageing and are becoming increasingly easy to use. Most AAL products originate from building services, consumer electronics, and care and medical technology. Increasingly, these digital assistance systems form part of the smart home, where all devices respond to a central control system.