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

The Bridging Research in Ageing and ICT Development Project aims to:

Create a dynamic ICT and Ageing roadmap that addresses older people’s needs not otherwise well met, identifies and benefits from best practices in the EU and elsewhere, and analyses current and potential gaps in knowledge and execution;

Instantiate a strategic research agenda that tracks and builds upon existing, emerging and disruptive technologies and responds to the changing socio-economic conditions of stakeholders;

Expand the BRAID networks of contacts to build a self-sustaining co- ordination mechanism which is viral, ubiquitous and reaches out across the heterogeneity of stakeholders.

BRAID is focused on active ageing and the promotion of health and wellbeing of older people. BRAID is set within emerging opportunities inherent in the demographic, epidemiological and economic trends across Europe. The unique contribution which BRAID brings to this discussion is an exploration of the impact of ICT on ageing.

Lead Responsibility for BRAID activities is spread across the members of consortium

1 Taxonomy and Trends, Global Security Intelligence: Global Security Intelligence (GSI), UK

2 Stakeholder identification and needs analysis, VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH, Germany

3 Stakeholder co-ordination, Trilateral Research & Consulting LLP, UK

4 Scenario development and consolidated Vision, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands

5 Engaging Stakeholders, CSSC, Rome

6 ICT and Ageing Roadmap, UNINOVA, Portugal

7 Dissemination and Impact Creation, University of Tasmania, Australia

8 Project Management, Queen’s University Belfast, UK

The NETWELL Centre in Dundalk, Ireland contributes across the work packages.

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: www.braidproject.eu

Members (External)

Professor Paddy Nixon: Paddy.Nixon@utas.edu.au

Dr Liz Cummings: Elizabeth.Cummings@utas.edu.au