SmartCareBase

In order to maintain and increase the quality of life of older, frail people, adaptations to their own homes are unavoidable. Despite this urgent need, a platform is still lacking that supports older people and their relatives with the adaptations and necessary changes and also helps them to deal with the new needs and challenges. The SmartCareBase project closes this gap by providing an innovative web platform that optimally serves this demand through complementary functions.

Many different aspects of living can become harder for older adults. Their living environment will need adaptations in many different fields to support their lifestyle; in regards of safety (fall sensors, fire protection, emergency call), health (telemedicine), mobility (stair lifts, handrails), entertainment (TV headsets, communication interfaces) and even wheelchair accessibility. This is a societal challenge that is increasingly coming into focus due to the demographic change that is taking place.

The SmartCareBase project, is funded by the FFG through the framework programme BENEFIT in the course of the call “IKT-gestützte Produkte, Dienstleistungen und Systeme zur Unterstützung des unabhängigen Lebens”. It will develop novel concepts to inspire young people to work with science, scientific methods and insights and therefore provide an innovative web platform that can support older adults and their caregivers through complementary functions.

The architecture of the platform is divided into three areas that cover different aspects: On the one hand, users will be offered a comprehensive news section as well as a knowledge database that allows quick and uncomplicated access to the topic of self-determined living in old age. In addition, the platform will provide extensive opportunities for joint exchange and thus enable direct communication and mutual support among users. At the same time, SmartCareBase will integrate experts and providers in a variety of ways on the platform so that users can optimally benefit from their knowledge and expertise and develop individual solutions in cooperation with them.

The project will:

Create an in-depth analysis of existing literature on the topic of self-determined living, including consideration of relevant influences on it, such as possibilities of Active and Assisted Living (AAL), concepts of satisfaction, activity and participation in old age, as well as consideration of general attitudes towards technology use in old age.

Conduct a Social science survey of needs and attitudes towards technology in the identified target group of AAL, based on qualitative and quantitative surveys with selected study participants to define user-specific requirements for the SmartCareBase online platform.

Implement a structured development of the interactive web-based SmartCareBase platform with product and provider catalogue, advisory services including expert search, knowledge content on the topic of AAL and a forum for mutual exchange, as well as the creation of manuals and video tutorials to facilitate the use of the platform.

Execute a target group-oriented evaluation and validation of the SmartCareBase by relevant stakeholders with a focus on usability, effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction, as well as a collection of further feedback in focus group discussions to collect essential suggestions for improvement of the SmartCareBase.

Include a detailed conception of the exploitation and economical use of the SmartCareBase after successful project completion, including the definition of necessary further development steps, assessment of specific customer needs and possibilities for financing the operation and maintenance of the platform.

The project coordinated by SYNYO will start in September 2013 and be finished in April 2015. The consortium will include next to the coordinator the University of Vienna and Rodlauer Consulting e.U.

Keywords

ICT-enabled products, services, support, independent living