Apollon

Many elderly people wish to live at home as long as possible. In Helsinki, new technology is being tested to improve homecare of the elderly: to provide better care and nursing, in order to support them living at home.

With the help of a simple touch screen, the test group of seniors can set up a video connection and communicate with homecare nurses virtually from home. In return, they can also receive instructions from the nurses in matters such as taking their medicine. In emergency situations, the nurses can use the video connection to evaluate the situation and need of treatment.

The video connection will be tested in the homes of 20 seniors, who are all customers of Palmia and the City of Helsinki Health Centre home care. 

Part of a major EU-funded project

The home care pilot is part of a major EU-funded project aiming to find common and internationally viable ways to plan user-driven services. Forum Virium Helsinki is in charge for the Finnish pilot in the e-Health sector.  

The APOLLON project started in November 2009, and will last until spring 2012. The project is part of the European Union’s Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP). The name APOLLON is an acronym for Advanced Pilots of Living Labs Operating in Networks.  

Several partners from Finland and other European countries are participating in the project. The Finnish partners are Forum Virium Helsinki, Nokia, Process Vision, and the Center for Knowledge and Innovation Research at Helsinki School of Economics. The other European partners come from 11 countries: Sweden, the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Hungary and Slovenia. The total number of foreign cooperation partners is 24, with several supporting partners involved.

www.openlivinglabs.eu

Further information
Programme Director Marianne Dannbom,
marianne.dannbom(at)forumvirium.fi,
Tel. +358 40 5026158