A user-centred approach for an AAL platform supporting personalized services for the elderly

The EU research strongly encourages digital innovation in care and assistance and fosters the promotion of innovative services for the elderly. The development of advanced devices and systems in domestic and urban environments aims to improve their quality of life. Based on an interoperable and wireless system, integrated into an open cloud-based architecture network, smart technologies are enabling factors to smart personal services. Users' integration represents the central aspect of the research project, which final goal is to verify how it is possible to increase or improve the independence and health status of older adults and make the elderly more active and productive, according to their functional, psychological and cognitive skills. On this fundamental premise is based the customization of solutions, obtainable through the introduction of acceptance thresholds by all the stakeholders involved. Potentialities of this study aim to improve the quality of life of older adults through the integration of smart technologies in their living environment in order to boost an efficient management and the financial sustainability of living and personalized services for all end-users involved. The paper reports the results of an on-going research by PDTA Sapienza department of Rome, leading to the development of an Ambient Assisted Living platform. Based on the integration of intelligent components at different city scales - from domestic environment to urban space - the AAL platform is conceived as an interactive tool, able to support innovative digital services for elderly people and their carers.