Evaluating Challenges and Adoption Factors for Active Assisted Living Smart Environments

Lena Lam; Laura Fadrique; Gaya Bin Noon; Aakanksha Shah; Plinio Pelegrini Morita

doi:10.3389/fdgth.2022.891634

Evaluating Challenges and Adoption Factors for Active Assisted Living Smart Environments

Front Digit Health. 2022 May 30:4:891634. doi: 10.3389/fdgth.2022.891634. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Lena Lam¹, Laura Fadrique¹, Gaya Bin Noon¹, Aakanksha Shah¹, Plinio Pelegrini Morita^{1

2

3

4

5}

Affiliations

¹ School of Health, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
² Research Institute for Aging, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
³ Department of Systems Design Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
⁴ eHealth Innovation, Techna Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁵ Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Abstract

While there have been rapid advancements in individual technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT) and Active Assisted Living (AAL) to address challenges related to an aging population, there remain large gaps in how these technologies can be integrated into the broader ecosystem to support older adults in aging in place. This research provides an overview of 15 solutions available to date around the globe and compares key factors for adoption in each solution, including user acceptance, privacy and security, accessibility, and interoperability. To scale these solutions sustainably and universally, the development and implementation of standards for key factors for adoption in AAL environments is critical. There is also a need for increased and sustainable funding to complement research priorities, to continue advancing AAL technologies.

Keywords: Active Assisted Living (AAL); aging in place; ambient assisted living; smart city; smart living.

Publication types

Review