Blog

The ageing population of Europe has been seen as a crisis by many as the rising costs of long term care and the challenges that affect the daily lives of older adults put more and more pressure on society. However, the power of technology is now helping to give independence back to older adults, and demand for solutions that improve quality of life for them and their carers is soaring. So, is this really a crisis, or is it an opportunity to help integrate people into society for longer while simultaneously nurturing a new market that can help boost the economy? Populations around the world are ageing. This long-term trend began several decades ago in Europe due to increased life expectancy and...Read More

  The ageing population of Europe has been seen as a crisis to many as the rising costs of long term care and the challenges that affect the daily lives of older adults put more and more pressure on society. However, the power of technology is now helping to give independence back to older adults, and demand for solutions that improve quality of life for them and their carers is soaring. So, is this really a crisis, or is it an opportunity to help integrate people into society for longer and improve the well-being of older adults in Europe?   Populations around the world are ageing. This long-term trend began several decades ago in Europe due to increased life expectancy and declining...Read More

AAL to present at the 10th WDA Forum in St. Gallen The composition of the world’s population is changing fast. The megatrend of demographic change is the most critical to face our planet this century. The AAL Programme exists to help provide solutions to the challenges that this change presents. This year St. Gallen will be hosting, as well as the AAL Forum, the 10th World Demographic and Ageing (WDA) Forum. The conference will outline the many factors that will significantly influence the ongoing and irreversible changes to the global population dynamics of the 21st century. Leading experts from across the globe will be debating and sharing pressing topics such as migration, low-interest environment, economic innovations in mobility, communication, employment,...Read More

AAL Smart Ageing Challenge Prize Finalists – Flux Young Scottish designer shortlisted for major award that celebrates technology whioductionch helps older adults maintain independence Rachael Johnston of Glasgow has created a simple video chat device for the elderly that doubles as a family photograph which fades over time since the last call Older people are especially vulnerable to loneliness and social isolation, which can have a significant impact on health. Communication via tablets, phones and personal computers would appear to offer the perfect solution to this big problem, but using such devices is often a challenge for those who have not grown up with them. Now, a young Scottish designer has come up with an ingeniously simple device that bridges...Read More

An idea that took root in a nursing home called Witte Meren in Mol in Belgium has been shortlisted to receive the AAL Smart AGeing Challenge Prize. What began as a vision in the mind of Witte Meren’s director Jan Smolders on how to keep his inhabitants physically active in a safe, motivating and fun environment may now be on the verge of international breakthrough. Jan’s brother Roel, who was working as a health technology expert at the Flemish Institute of Technological Research, took an interest in the project and the two siblings teamed up. When Wannes Meert and Jesse Davis joined the group, Activ84Health was born. Activ84Health develops technology that offers older people who can no longer get out and...Read More

From a huge entry of close to 200 entries, fifteen finalists have been shortlisted for the AAL Smart Ageing Challenge prize, which is offering €50,000 for the best innovation that uses the Internet of Things to empower older adults to achieve the quality of life they aspire to, socially and independently. After receiving so many fantastic ideas from all over Europe, the judges whittled down the entrants to the fifteen best, who will now move on to the next stage of the competition. This will involve going to an exciting Innovation Academy in Brussels, where they will receive advice about their technology and business mentoring, while they seek to impress the judges further and make it to the grand final,...Read More

We are pleased to announce that jazz and blues legend Othella Dallas will be performing at this year’s forum. AAL has this year booked a singer who has proven that age is no barrier when it comes to putting in a show stopping performance. Othella Dallas is a grand old lady of jazz, blues and funk. Born on September 26, 1925 in Memphis, her dancing career started when she was just five years old. She continued dancing and acting after moving to New York and toured the world with the Dunham School of Theatre and Dance. Inspired and encouraged by her husband, who is also her manager, Othella began her second career in singing in the jazz clubs of Paris. This opened...Read More

The chance to enter the first ever AAL Smart Ageing Challenge Prize has now passed, but after receiving so many fantastic ideas from all over the world we are confident that the eventual winner will be a real game-changer.  The AAL Smart Ageing Challenge Prize is offering €50,000 for the best innovation that uses the Internet of Things to empower older adults to achieve the quality of life they aspire to, socially and independently.   The judges were looking for ideas that use the Internet of Things in an innovative way while at the same time taking into account the needs of the users. Judges were also looking for ideas with a clear business plan that would see the innovation to...Read More