6 February 2007

A number of industry, education and public bodies are combining to offer assistive technology to elderly Europeans as part of a new initiative.

The Service Orientated Programmable Smart Environments for Older Europeans project, which is part-funded by the EU, will run for three and half years and cost in the region of €12 million (£7.9 million).

Spearheaded by home telecare provider Tunstall, the scheme has the aim of "promoting independence for older people" and will examine new ways of integrating telecare, and networked technology and communications into homes.

Mike Hodges, Research and Development Director at Tunstall, comments: "Against a background of accelerating demographic ageing across Europe, the latest telecare and telehealth solutions will play a pivotal role in helping to relieve some of the growing pressure on healthcare providers."

Last year, the EU announced that it would be providing €3 million in an effort to create more effective assistive technology by developing a new system which examines the accessibility barriers faced by older Europeans.

© Adfero Ltd

Keep up to date with industry and Nomensa news by signing up to Nomensa newsletters.