Gerontechnology®,Fitting Task and Environment to the Elderly

Abstract

Gerontechnology includes the research and development of techniques and technological products, based on the knowledge of aging processes, for the benefit of a preferred living and working environment and adapted medical care for the elderly. Physical and mental fitness are prerequisites to the satisfactory performance of daily tasks. Functionality decreases when perceptive motor abilities or skills diminish, when task demands are too high and/or when the product characteristics, the user-interface or the environmental conditions are in conflict with human skills. The introduction emphasizes the difference between approaching the elderly as patients or consumers. A concept of social interaction and active participation is described. It is discussed which support can be offered by technology and what the state of the art in gerontechnology is.