The "Home automation and Health pole" of Guéret: An example of a regional initiative for eHealth
Résumé
The initiative "Pôle Domotique et Santé de Guéret" is an example of a regional approach aiming to take benefit of the opportunities that home automation and ICT services could bring to meet social, academic and economic needs in the area. A core issue for the region was to tackle the demographic challenge of a low density, rural and ageing population. The project was set up to improve the quality of life of inhabitants, to promote the implementation of new services, to create new jobs and to trigger the growth of a new market for innovative technologies. The key action points of the project are to create a professional qualification in home automation and ICT, set up a dedicated resource centre, develop products and packages of services that target people with reduced autonomy, set up a trial of products and services in a centre for dependent people, structure a network of local enterprises, organize events to communicate about the project over the local area and to expand partnerships at national and European levels. In this frame, the deployment of home automation and ICT healthcare solutions has been driven through packs in private and medical housing. The impact evaluation of these solutions has been done referring to four major domains (motor disability, security, social link and actors coordination). Equipment packs have been designed depending of the house type and patient troubles for different scenarios (Comfort and communication, Security). Two experimentations have been driven: one concerns private housing, and the second one medical institution. The method used to survey is based on a qualitative survey by semi-directive conversations adapted to the different targets. The sample sizes for the two experimentations are 10 private houses with 5 packs and 30 beds in medical institutions. General recommendations have been derived from the analysis with several ways to develop the offer: * A gradual development of the offer for a better acceptance; * A basic offer (automatic lighting and remote monitoring) increased by more specific options (health, autonomy/movement); * A "Relational" development of ICT for the elders; * A family mode for the private sphere and a "social" mode to stay in connection with a community; * A "practical" mode to stay connected with a medical institution. After the experiments conclusions, the General Council of the department of Creuse has started a public service delegation to deploy a "base pack" on 2000 homes.