NORDIC AMBIENT ASSISTED LIVING Welfare Technologies for Active and Independent Living at Home Colophon
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NORDIC AMBIENT ASSISTED LIVING Welfare technologies for active and independent living at home Colophon Nordic Ambient Assisted Living – a stronghold of the Nordic health and care sector Nordic Welfare Solutions is one of six flagship projects under the Nordic Prime Ministers' joint initiative, Nordic Solutions to Global Challenges, coordinated by the Nordic Council of Ministers. Nordic Welfare Solutions is managed by Nordic Innovation and has the goal of increasing exports through Nordic cooperation, branding and storytelling. The aim is to create a critical mass, strengthen Nordic networks and improve market access for Nordic companies. This white paper introduces a selection of Nordic solutions for Ambient Assisted Living. These are technologies and welfare services developed in the Nordic Region, which enable the elderly to lead an independent life in their own home for a longer duration. It is one of three white papers derived from an analysis of the Strongholds of the Nor- dic Health Tech Ecosystem, published by Nordic Innovation in 2018. This white paper is based on input from more than 70 interviewees working within health and care provi- sion, research and technology development in the Nordic Region. Editors: Mona Truelsen, Nordic Innovation, Bengt Andersson, Nordic Welfare Centre. Contributors: Finnsson & Co, Páll Tómas Finnsson Photo credits: Finnsson & Co, Nectarine Health (p. 17), byACRE (p. 21), Assistep (p. 23), Evondos (p. 35) Nordic Export Task Force: Representatives from HealthCare Denmark (DK), Welfare Tech (DK), Danish Trade Council (DK), Scion DTU (DK), Innovation Norway (NO), Oslo Medtech (NO), Norwegian Smart Care Cluster (NO), FinPro (FI), Healthtech Finland (FI), Upgraded (FI), Business Sweden (SE) Swedish Medtech (SE), Swecare (SE), Feder- ation of Icelandic Industries (IS) and Promote Iceland (IS). Nordic Innovation and Nordic Welfare Centre Version 1, June 2019 NORDIC AMBIENT ASSISTED LIVING Welfare technologies for active and independent living at home Executive Summary Technologies to enhance care and quality of life of elderly persons living at home The population in the Nordic Region, as well This white paper on Nordic Ambient Assisted as in other developed countries, is getting old- Living introduces Nordic welfare technologies er. People live longer, more people are living that improve care and enhance the quality of with chronic diseases, and the ratio of elderly life of elderly living in their own homes. to the working age population is increasing. This area of technology is highlighted as a key This calls for new ways to provide health and stronghold in Strongholds and Qualities of the care services. Nordic Health Tech Ecosystem, an analysis carried out for Nordic Innovation, which laid Welfare technology is destined to play the foundation for the Nordic Welfare Solu- a key role in enabling the elderly to tions project. This report is part of a larger lead a secure, independent and active effort to showcase and export outstanding Nordic health and welfare solutions. life in their own homes for longer. This report focuses on five key issues connect- ed with assisted living solutions: • Safety of Elderly Living at Home • Assistive Technologies and Devices • Rehabilitation and Disease Management • Robots and Automation • Digital Solutions and Platforms In addition, we address some of the factors necessary for successful implementation, such as education and training, organisation- al change, privacy issues and infrastructure. The technologies featured in the publication have been selected based on interviews and input from leading Nordic health tech devel- opers, welfare technology researchers and care providers in the Nordic Region.1 1 See the full list of contributors on page 43 4 Nordic Ambient Assisted Living Safety of Elderly Living at Home and delaying the need for care. Nordic tech- The most widespread Nordic welfare technol- nology providers have developed solutions ogies are safety technologies, such as moni- that allow the elderly to participate in reha- toring solutions, GPS-based location services, bilitation activities from home via one-on-one fall detection devices, sensor technology and video consultation, web-based group training, Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions that regis- or by using apps and devices offering stand- ter and analyse behavioural patterns. These ard exercises or tailored training programmes. technologies release an alarm or send mes- Furthermore, Nordic technology has been ap- sages to relatives or healthcare staff in case plied to self-manage chronic disease, permit- of emergencies or deviations in behaviour. ting users to take a more active part in their These monitoring and detection solutions own care. reduce the need for home care visits while still providing comfort and safety for the elderly Robots and Automation and their families. Using a wide definition of robot technolo- gy, the fourth category describes robot and Assistive Technologies and Devices automation solutions developed in the Nordic In the field of assistive technologies, the Region, such as automatic medicine dispens- Nordic market offers a variety of technologies ers, assistive eating devices, cleaning robots, and devices that enable the elderly to move communication robots and technology for around freely inside and outside their home, rehabilitation and training. maintain their personal hygiene and carry out basic tasks of everyday life. The range of Digital Solutions and Platforms solutions includes various low-tech applianc- In the fifth category, digital solutions and es, such as sock aids and reachers, as well as platforms, we present Nordic communica- more advanced technologies, including loft tion- and planning solutions that facilitate co- lifts and stair assist devices, toilet and show- ordination and communication between care er solutions and adjustable beds, tables and personnel, the elderly and their relatives. We sinks. Walkers, wheelchairs and other mobility also address the need for a robust infrastruc- aids also belong to this category. ture and safe electronic sharing of health information, as well as common platforms on Rehabilitation and Disease Management which different technologies and applications Rehabilitation is an area in which welfare can be combined to create more complete technology offers great potential, reducing care solutions. Nordic Ambient Assisted Living 5 Table of Contents 4-5 10-17 40 Executive Safety of Epilogue Summary Elderly Living at Home 7 18-23 42 Preface Assistive About Technologies the Project and Devices 8-9 24-31 43 Introduction Rehabilitation Acknowledge- and Disease ments Management 32-35 Robots and Automation 36-39 Digital Solutions and Platforms Preface Welfare technology founded on the Nordic model The Nordic model has been central to the economic and social vitality of the Region, ensuring high living standards and excellent health and care servic- es for its residents. The Nordic countries offer free, high-quality education, universal healthcare and comprehensive social safety nets, with life expec- tancy among the highest in the world. All five Nordic countries have invested in developing competitive research and innovation environments and strong technological infrastructure. Like most developed countries, the Nordic countries are faced with extraordi- nary challenges when it comes to providing the effective health and social care services to serve a rapidly growing elderly population. The goal is to enable the elderly to enjoy active, independent and dignified lives in their own homes for as long as possible. The welfare technologies presented in this white paper are aimed at accom- plishing this goal. They are the product of close cooperation between the Nor- dic research and innovation environments and health technology companies that have introduced new ways of delivering care to the elderly. Technological progress is encouraged by the public sector’s willingness to test new technol- ogies in real care environments, generating valuable input into their further development. Successful integration of welfare technology addresses the health, independence and happiness of each citizen and frees up resources for better, more personalised care. Nordic welfare technology has vast market potential all around the world. The global market for ambient assisted living amounted to €900 million in 2017 and is expected to grow six-fold, to more than €5 billion, by 2021. This rapidly growing market represents tremendous opportunities for Nordic businesses. This publication is part of a series of white papers introducing innovative solu- tions in the health and care sector under the Nordic Welfare Solutions project, managed by Nordic Innovation. It is one of six lighthouse projects under Nordic Solutions to Global Challenges, a joint initiative launched by the Nordic Prime Ministers, addressing grand challenges such as climate change, sustainable development and healthcare provision in a changing world. Nordic health technology companies have developed a wealth of expertise and new technologies to empower elderly to lead active, healthy and independent lives. These technologies will play a key role in the transition towards bringing health and care services closer to the home and adjusting them to the needs of each individual. Svein Berg, Managing Director, Nordic Innovation Eva Franzén, Director, Nordic Welfare Centre Nordic Ambient Assisted Living 7 Introduction Global transition in elderly This trend is even more evident in