International Initiatives in Technology and Aging

This chapter provides an overview of some of the initiatives and activities in the area of gerontechnology that have emerged in different parts of the world. While it is not possible to provide a comprehensive and exhaustive review of the world scene, the aim is to highlight selected research in different geographical regions, specifically Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific, and research at different levels: national, regional, and international. The chapter begins with a description of an international program, Everyday Technologies for Alzheimer’s Care (ETAC), funded through a partnership between the Alzheimer’s Association and the INTEL Corporation and designed to develop technological solutions for people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and their caregivers and families. The second section focuses on emerging research on technology and aging in the Asia-Pacific region. The third section focuses on national-level programs and describes work being carried out in the UK funded by government agencies such as the Environment and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The fourth section describes the very extensive program of work being funded by the European Union under the Ambient Assisted Living Joint Programme. The chapter concludes by identifying some of the key common themes within the various research programs described and discusses the drivers, emerging directions, and opportunities in a rapidly expanding global research landscape.