Age and technology
For many years, experts have been discussing the effects of current demographic and social changes on the care of elderly, sick and/or care-dependent people.
Numerous technologies and services are already available today that support older people in leading independent lives and can therefore at least partially compensate for these changes. However, knowledge of these support options is still limited among the target groups.
In this context, the project is developing the national reference database for technical aids as well as an information platform for easy access to the collected knowledge: the “Guide to Ageing and Technology”.
In addition, the BMBF is funding the creation of a decentralised advisory structure: advice centres on all aspects of technical aids for a self-determined life are currently being set up in 22 municipalities. The HFU and the FZI are helping to support local work with specialist databases, good practice guidelines and further training courses.
Online portal
On the online portal External link opens in a new window:www.wegweiseralterundtechnik.de, advisors and interested parties can find out about technical products and their applications.
The content structure and the ICF-based categorisation were created by HFU. Each product found on the website was subjected to product research by the HFU and the FZI and a description was created.
Qualification and networking
As part of the accompanying project, the advisors at the municipal advice centers are being trained as certified “AAL advisors for assistive technology in old age”. The qualification concept developed by the HFU will be available to interested parties from 2015 as a professional development measure beyond the scope of the project.
Contents of the training are:
- Teaching solution approaches and products
- Teaching basic skills
- Understanding technology
- Consulting process
- Specific areas of need
For the advice centers, the further training measure represents a special opportunity to network with each other.
Evaluation
The activities of the advice centers are evaluated by the FZI in cooperation with the HFU with regard to results, success factors and sustainability aspects. An evaluation concept and corresponding instruments have been developed for this purpose. The documentation tool careTech is used within the project to support the counseling process. At the same time, it is used by the FZI as an anonymous evaluation tool for the project.
