As a result of the baby boom after the Second World War, the average age in Western Europe is increasing fast. For instance in the Netherlands, at this moment about 2.4 million people are above 50 years of age.

Taking into consideration the fact that the total population consists of 16 million people this already is an impressive number, while in the next five years this number will even increase by almost 25%. With the average age increasing, the need to be provided for will increase as well. To meet this growing need, solutions have to be found that comply with the demands of the majority.

Self-reliance
Research among elderly people showed that most people prefer staying in their own houses for as long as possible. Self-reliant living means that one is capable of managing one’s own life and choosing which care or other services they want to use. Obviously, other services have to be offered besides homecare. Aspects such as safety and convenience for an important part define quality of life. Different times create different needs. Therefore it is important that houses can be adapted to these changing needs. This makes it possible for everyone, including elderly people, to stay in their houses, making use of offered services at home.

At home – without concern
More and more older people at first sight have two conflicting needs. On the one hand one wants to stay in their own house and on the other hand there is the need for care, security and more comfort – services that are offered in retirement homes. To bring these needs together these services have to be offered at home. The ViCasa concept makes this possible. By offering homecare services via IP technology people can stay in their houses.

ViCasa
To fulfill the need of staying independent, the health care that is needed, is to be delivered at home. With standard homecare this is not possible. There is a need for clients to have direct contact with a nurse at the necessary moments. Especially in cases of emergency direct assistance is unavoidable.  A direct link with a nurse or doctor is necessary in those situations. A known solution is a social alarm system, where the telephone connection is used to exchange information between the client and a care centre. Within existing domotica projects, convenience and care functions were added, like:

• Audio communication in several rooms
• Wireless wrist alarm
• Inactivity alarm. Generates an alarm when there is no activity for a predefined timeframe
• Fire and smoke alarm
• Day / night switch. In the night position all unnecessary functions of the house are switched off and the burglar alarm then is switched on
• Electric opening of front door
• Sensor switches for switching on the light and generate burglar alarms, when there is nobody at home

The ViCasa concept differs from other current domotica applications by adding three essential functions, being:

1. Video communication. This opens the possibility to have eye contact between the client and the nurse practitioner. It is even possible to have cameras in different rooms, with distant control functions, like zooming and turning. The video connections can also be used for the daily communication with for instance grandchildren and other relatives.
2. Client Database. When connected to the client, personal information is available, making it possible to react fast and offering custom care. A human life can be a matter of seconds. Besides the client, this database is only accessible for persons that have the rights to address.
3. Telemedicine. Vital functions can be measured by the clients themselves and electronically sent to the doctor or specialist. This saves doctor visits and in a lot of cases prevents critical incidents.

These functions are offered via a broadband connection, which is available at almost every location. This is very important, because it meets the most important goal: Telecare should be available for every household.

Dwelling and Welfare
Via the home care organisation a video connection can be established with physicians or specialists. Unnecessary travelling time and long waiting times are prevented in this way. A practical example is the kidney dialysis at home. Rinsing the kidneys up until now happened twice a week in a hospital. Via broadband it is possible to rinse the kidneys at home during the night while the patient is asleep, while on a distant the rinsing apparatus is controlled and the patient is guarded. Communicating with the patient is done via the video connection.

Video information can be exchanged with family and friends (videophone, films, etc.). This strengthens the social contacts which are very important for people in general, but for older people especially. There is nothing as important as personal contact. By organizing activities in a district, social contacts can be stimulated. Via an electrical notice-board people can be informed about these activities.

More information
Simac ICT offers this concept and guards the connection 24 hours a day and 7 days per week. Information is available via Ben de Klerk of Simac – telephone +316 53 861 848, or through e-mail: ben.de.klerk@simac.com

ViCasa is deduced from the Italian / Spanish word Casa = house and the French word vie = live. The base of this concept is that living in the house has a higher dimension than dwelling. Extra elements have to be added to the dwelling, like care, safety, security and comfort. The combinations of these elements differ from person to person and have to be custom made. Customer needs can change in time as well.