What is the problem? Strong pressure on care systems and reduced quality of life for Older people and persons with disabilities

The ageing of the population puts enormous pressure on our care systems and innovative ICT solutions can help to improve quality of life for citizens and increase efficiency of care.

Why the EU action is required? A triple-win through ICT-based innovation

The reinforcement of the Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) Joint Programme (jointly financed by the EU and 23 Eurppean countries) is a major element of the wider policy action on ICT (Information and Communication Technology) for Ageing Well. Its overall aim is to enable a triple-win through ICT-based innovation: 1) continued independent living and active ageing of older people; 2) increased efficiency of the care systems; 3) promotion of a flourishing industry in Europe for independent and active ageing.

DAE action 78 will contribute to the delivery of the European Innovation Partnership in the field of active and healthy ageing under the Innovation Union flagship.

What will the Commission do?

By the end of 2010:

• Complete an interim evaluation of the AAL Joint Programme and issue a report to the European Parliament and Council to communicate key findings and proposed actions

In 2011 :

• Launch the Active and Healthy Ageing Innovation Partnership
• Issue a Recommendation on a Joint Programming Initiative on demographic change to coordinate national research activities
• Launch further FP7 research and pre-commercial public procurement projects for independent living under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) as well as CIP (Competitiveness and Innovation Framework programme) deployment projects
• Foster large scale dissemination to promote exchange and replication of good practices on ICT for Ageing Well
• Support the continuation of the AAL Investment Forum to help leverage investments and financing of innovation in ICT for Ageing Well, in cooperation with the European Investment Bank and the structural funds.

In 2012:

• Launch an impact assessment of the Decision on EU participation on the AAL Joint Programme after 2013
• Include technologies enabling ambient assisted living in FP8 Work Programme
• Update the EU Action Plan for Ageing Well in the Information Society
• Contribute to the activities under the 2012 European Year of Active Ageing

Contact:

paul.timmers@ec.europa.eu