A review on the technologies and services used in the self-management of health and independent living of elderly

Abstract

As the number of aged people is rapidly growing, the need for health and living care of aged people living alone becomes imperative. The telecare systems are able to provide flexible services for older people suffering from chronic diseases, but are largely user group oriented. However, it is common in elderly to show symptoms of a combination of (chronic) diseases. Moreover, elderly are totally dependent on a third person as they are unable to perform a number of basic functions at home. They also feel cutt off from the social fabric. Old people living in remote places typically use telephone that dials a social alarm control center or mobile social alarm systems and monitoring systems. This study examines the existing solutions related to elderly assistance and proposes an advanced solution based on web technology for the self-management of health and independent living of elderly.

Keywords: Integrated care; elderly; health; independent living; self-management; sensors; web services.