Ambient Assisted Living for the Elderly - Solutions to master the demographic change

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
  • Background
  • Central research question and objectives
  • Methodological approach and structure of the thesis
• Theoretical framework
  • Diffusion of Innovations theory
  • Application of the Diffusion of Innovations theory
• Methodology
  • Nature of the research
  • Steps in the research procedure
  • Review of EU policies, projects, and initiatives
  • Review of studies on AAL
  • Reliability and validity
• Results
  • EU actions towards AAL
  • Ambient Assisted Living at a glance
  • Main Results
• Discussion
  • Discussion of AAL on grounds of the Diffusion of Innovations theory
  • Discussion of methods
  • Answer to the research question
  • Recommendations and conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This thesis investigates the topic of Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) as a solution to the challenges posed by the demographic changes in Europe. It aims to analyze the current state of AAL, its potential for supporting independent living for the elderly, and its implementation within the context of the Diffusion of Innovations theory. The key themes explored in this thesis include:

• The impact of demographic changes on the care needs of the elderly population.
• The potential of AAL to support independent living and enhance the quality of life for elderly individuals.
• The implementation of AAL within the framework of the Diffusion of Innovations theory.
• The role of EU policies, projects, and initiatives in promoting AAL.
• The challenges and opportunities associated with the development and adoption of AAL solutions.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Chapter 1: Introduction: This chapter provides a background on the demographic changes occurring in Europe, highlighting the increasing proportion of elderly citizens. It also introduces the central research question and objectives of the thesis, as well as the methodological approach and structure of the work.
• Chapter 2: Theoretical framework: This chapter presents the Diffusion of Innovations theory and its application to the study of AAL. The theory is used as a lens to understand the factors influencing the adoption and diffusion of AAL solutions.
• Chapter 3: Methodology: This chapter outlines the research methodology used in the thesis, including the nature of the research, steps in the research procedure, and a review of EU policies, projects, initiatives, and studies on AAL. It also addresses the reliability and validity of the research findings.
• Chapter 4: Results: This chapter presents the findings of the research, including an analysis of EU actions towards AAL, a general overview of Ambient Assisted Living, and key results related to the topic.
• Chapter 5: Discussion: This chapter discusses the findings of the research in relation to the Diffusion of Innovations theory, the methodological approach, and the research question. It also presents recommendations and conclusions based on the analysis.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The main keywords and focus topics of this thesis include Ambient Assisted Living (AAL), demographic changes, elderly care, Diffusion of Innovations theory, European Union policies, ICT-enabled solutions, and independent living. These terms encapsulate the primary themes and research areas explored in the work, highlighting the intersection of technological advancements, societal trends, and public health concerns.