University of Tasmania, Australia

Bridging Research in Ageing and ICT Development (BRAID) seeks to guide future research and investment in the area of ICT and Ageing throughout the European Union and also internationally.

This project is a collaboration between nine organisations in seven different countries (Australia, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands and UK).

BRAID explores the impact of ICT on ageing under the basic tenets that technology needs to:

• Ensure personal safety
• Improve access to healthcare
• Support daily activities
• Be easy to use
• Support people to stay connected
• Make tools suitable for me.

BRAID has identified that effective ICT must take into account that:

• People want to focus on what they can do, not what they cannot do
• Ageing in place means more than just staying at home
• Health is defined collaboratively and culturally
• People mark the progression of ageing by watershed events
• Healthy ageing is inextricably linked to social participation

This research has developed a range of important documents in relation to the examination of technology in relation to ageing and also for the engagement and coordination of stakeholders. 

The major output is a comprehensive Research and Technological Development (RTD) roadmap for active ageing for Europe through the consolidation of existing roadmaps and by describing and launching a stakeholder co-ordination and consultation mechanism. Additionally, a comprehensive implementation strategy has been developed.

The final output for this research will be the development of an international co-operation plan which is being led by the University of Tasmania in collaboration with other partners.

All documents are available on the BRAID website.