JUCS - Journal of Universal Computer Science 28(11): 1221-1249, doi: 10.3897/jucs.86891
Challenges of ubiquitous and wearable solutions to address active ageing in the Andalusian community
expand article infoAurora Polo-Rodríguez, Pietro Dionisio§, Francesco Agnoloni§, Ana Perandrés Gómez|, Cristiano Paggetti§, Lucía González López|, Alfonso Cruz Lendínez, Macarena Espinilla-Estévez, Javier Medina-Quero
‡ University of Jaén, Jaén, Spain§ Medea S.r.l., Florence, Italy| Ageing Lab Foundation, Jaén, Spain
Open Access
Abstract

Active ageing is a multidimensional process for achieving the potential quality of life and meaning in the life cycle. In the context of the Andalusian region in Spain, where the majority of the population is over 60 years old and lives in rural areas, it has become a key challenge. That is why the European projects within the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, such as Pharaon - Pilots for Active and Healthy Ageing, promote technologies adapted by and for our elders. In the case of the Andalusian pilot, part of this project, we have selected a social network adapted to them, enabling them to communicate with the community at home and share their experiences. In addition, to improve their physical fitness, a device to count active minutes and steps is included, which provides users and caregivers with a visible and objective metric of daily health status. The technology has been evaluated following a well-defined methodology, which is described in this work to promote the deployment of technology in large-scale pilots. A specific architecture (Information System for Active Ageing in Andalusia - ISA3) and the components evaluated within a common ecosystem (Pharaon Project) are presented.

Keywords
Active ageing, Andalusia, ecosystem, wearable, ubiquitous computing