High-quality television links for home-based support for the elderly.
Since 1991, 17 elderly people have been connected via a broadband video communication system to a telecare centre. The new services used videophones based on domestic television sets, including set-top boxes with cameras and a microphone. The services had the overall aim of promoting the ability of elderly and mobility-impaired people to live independently and to reduce the demand on social service resources required to implement this. Service components included: remote response to emergencies; active information and care; information and assistance service; remote care on demand; remote access to expertise (counselling); training and exercise service; and support for carers. Some 14,000 calls have been made. The important qualitative aspects were: clients' satisfaction; replacement of direct social contacts; privacy and data protection; and improving the effectiveness of social services. For a successful market implementation of video-based social support and telecare services, it is essential to integrate them into existing outpatient services.
Erkert
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Gesellschaft für Kommunikations und Technologieforschung mbH, Bonn, Germany. thomas@empirico.de
D000368:Aged; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D004630:Emergencies; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D013685:Telecommunications / Q000592:standards*; D013690:Television / Q000592:standards*