Europe: how to keep elderly in their own homes longer

December 12, 2016 | by

A new project to produce smart technical solutions to increase possibilities for the elderly to live at home [grow_thumb image=”https://telecareaware.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Couple_sitting_at_a_table.jpg” thumb_width=”150″ /]without being dependent on children or in-home care has been launched in Europe. The collaborative project named FRONT-VL is led by the Swedish mobile phone operator TeliaSonera and has 21 contributing organisations working within the industry-driven European research initiative “Celtic Plus”.

The project is based on the premise that by enabling elderly people to live at home for as long as possible a good quality of life can be maintained while at the same time reducing care costs. The project proposes to develop predictive health related end-user services in fall prevention, mental health, rehabilitation and palliative care using machine learning and “big data” analysis together with IoT based data acquisition.

FRONT-VL has a budget of 7.2 million Euros and is due to run for 3 years beginning next month. The funding caters for just over 55 person-years of effort over the three year period.

The key innovations of the project will be in two areas. First will be to create a common service delivery framework able to provide Information Computing and Telecommunications based home care and health services to end-users and care professionals. Second is automated data collection to enable peer-to-peer learning and knowledge transfer.

The Celtic Plus initiative defines, performs and finances research projects in telecommunications, new media, future internet and applications and services. It is part of the wider Eureka Network that facilitates R&D projects across Europe.

Successful large-scale deployment of Telehealth: a “cookbook”

November 19, 2015 | by

Following a two and a half year evaluation of data from different connected health programmes in five European regions, a report [grow_thumb image=”https://telecareaware.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/ACT-programme-logo.jpg” thumb_width=”150″ /]was released this week described as a “cookbook” for large-scale deployment of coordinated care and telehealth. The work was carried out by a consortium led by Philips Healthcare and included participants from The Netherlands, Greece, the UK, Spain, Italy and Germany.

After monitoring coordinated care and telehealth initiatives in five EU healthcare regions – Lombardy (IT), Basque Country (ES), Catalonia (ES), Northern Netherlands (NL), and Scotland (UK) – the EU-funded Advancing Care Coordination & Telehealth Deployment (ACT) Programme has produced this ‘cookbook’ of good practice to facilitate their deployment across Europe. (more…)

A Plum European app report

September 6, 2015 | by

plum logoFor a pleasant change, thanks to Prof Mike Short, we can share an excellent report on the app business in Europe with readers without explaining that to access it costs gadzillions. The Plum App Report gives a very level-headed yet exciting description of how apps are changing Europe and hints at some very exciting potential savings to realise from health apps, and elsewhere.

New alliance for m-health in Europe

March 7, 2015 | by

Swedish telecommunications company Tele2, with operations in nine European countries, has announced that it is to partner with HCL Technologies to develop Machine to Machine (M2M) [grow_thumb image=”https://telecareaware.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Tele2.jpg” thumb_width=”150″ /]and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, particularly those within the m-health [grow_thumb image=”https://telecareaware.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/HCL.jpg” thumb_width=”150″ /]market. In an announcement on their website, HCL Technologies, which employs over 100,000 people worldwide, said “by focusing on the Healthcare segment in Europe, the two companies will jointly address one of the fastest growing areas of the M2M/IoT market. For example, in healthcare the two companies are planning to develop remote patient monitoring systems that are enabled through smartphones. HCL and Tele2 will work together in an effort to reduce transactional and operational costs for their partners, whilst tapping into the lucrative revenue opportunities that exist within the European IoT/M2M market.”

The news article continues “HCL will be responsible for the implementation, integration, roll-out and ongoing support of M2M/IoT solutions, in addition to device connectivity through its flagship Device Gateway product – Aegis. This becomes feasible through Tele2’s Control Center, which is the market leading M2M/IoT connectivity platform in the world.”

Active & Healthy Ageing: EU cities and regions get star ratings

July 5, 2013 | by

Despite the echos of star (reward) charts for children as recommended by Supernanny, the issuing of stars by the European Commission to cities in recognition of developing ways of helping older people is probably a Good Thing. It provides a mechanism for recognition of good practice and a means of promoting healthy competition. It also means that, in order to rate the cities, someone somewhere has to have a vision of what is ultimately possible. There are six categories of innovation in the EU’s ratings: medication adherence, fall prevention, frailty and malnutrition, integrated care, independent living and age-friendly environments. Good examples have been noted from Andalusia, Scotland, the Basque region and Portugal. There are details in the press release. Moreover, it is not just about recognising good practice it is about sharing it via a Digital Market Place for Innovative Ideas. Perhaps the rating process holds some ideas for NHS England as it wonders how to promote telehealth. Hat tip to Bob Pyke.

GSMA mHealth Grand (cycle) Tour – Europe

May 17, 2013 | by
[grow_thumb image=”https://telecareaware.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/mhealth-cycle-tour-route-2013.jpg” thumb_width=”150″ /]The mHealth Grand Tour will be a cycle ride with a difference. Going from Brussels to Barcelona in 13 days (5 – 19 September 2013), it is a 2,100km tour with more than 22,000 meters of climbs. But it is also an opportunity to help demonstrate ways of managing diabetes using mHealth. The ride is “also intended to be fabulous experience, incorporating breathtaking scenery, quiet country roads and the opportunity to sample fabulous food and wine. And, in the spirit of the Grand Tours of old, we have also designed the ride to take in the outstanding cultural sights on the way.” The tour is open to individuals, and sponsoring organisations are putting together some cycling teams too. More information on the tour website.