A panel established to advise the European Commission on the functioning of the Ambient Assisted Living joint programme (AAL JP) launched a public consultation aiming to establish new ways to put Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) at the service of the most vulnerable members of society; the consultation will remain open until 1 July 2010.

More specifically, the consultation on the interim review of the AAL JP invites citizens, businesses and researchers to fill out a questionnaire available in 6 EU languages and share their ideas on how to make best use of ICTs to help senior Europeans live more independently. The public consultation is the first step towards meeting the target of doubling the take-up of independent living arrangements for the elderly by 2015 set by the 'Digital Agenda for Europe'.

The European Commissioner for Digital Agenda, Ms. Neelie Kroes said: "Information and communications technologies have immense potential to improve the quality of life and health of older people and other vulnerable members of society in very practical ways. Such applications are an important part of the 'Digital Agenda for Europe'. I therefore encourage users, researchers and businesses to let us know how we can best improve the Ambient Assisted Living joint programme."

Public and private sectors around Europe have invested more than €1 billion in research and innovation for ageing well; around €600 million is being invested in the AAL JP, approximately €400 million in the EU's research framework programme and more than €50 million so far in the EU's ICT Policy Support Programme. The AAL JP initiative also targets innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with SMEs accounting for approximately 40 % of AAL JP participants.

The ongoing interim evaluation is a legal requirement of the Decision of the European Parliament and Council of 9 July 2008. The Commission will communicate the conclusions of the interim evaluation and its observations to the European Parliament and the Council by the end of 2010.

Background Information

The Ambient Assisted Living joint programme, which involves both the European Commission and EU Member States, aims to ensure that ICTs permit a more independent and dignified life for elderly people who are socially isolated, frail, suffer from chronic conditions or have disabilities; it inter alia develops new solutions to deal with such problems as preventing falls and supporting sufferers of dementia. Applications of this kind, improve seniors' and vulnerable people's quality of life, keep down the cost of social and health care and open new market opportunities for Europe's industry and service providers.

The project supports solutions that can be launched on the market in two to three years and become commercially viable. This brings new business opportunities and huge savings in the cost of social and health care. For example, telecare solutions can cut the costs of home care services by up to 30 %.

Further information:

• Official Press Release - Rapid Press Releases
• Consultation on the interim review of the AAL Joint programme (in English, French, German)
• Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) Joint Programme