Book R e vie w

C o r r e s p o n d e n ce / B o o k

A u g u s t 2 0 0 5 , Vo l 4 , N o 1

ETH

w w w . g e r o n te c h jo u r n a l. n e t

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ICS IN D O M O TICS (R EPLY ) Pre viou s l y van Be rl o1 s tate d th at “It is e th ical l y not acce ptab l e to u s e cam e ras for ach ie ving cos t e fficie ncy in th e care of pe opl e w ith m e ntaldis ab il itie s ”. I fu l l y agre e w ith th is s tate m e nt, as far as th e s e cam e ras are onl y u s e d for pas s ive m onitoring du ring care at nigh t and in th e e ve ning. Pe rs onalprivacy is a gre at good th at s h ou l d not b e re m ove d from a pe rs on u nl e s s it is ab s ol u te l y u navoidab l e . Be s ide th is , fam il y m e m b e rs are not al w ays com fortab l e w ith th e th ou gh t th at m oth e r or fath e r are b e ing w atch e d. H ow e ve r, m u ch of th e pas s ive cam e ra m onitoring cou l d b e trans form e d in 2-w ay com m u nication on de m and b e tw e e n care r and cl ie nt in a vide oph one e nvironm e nt. Th is m ore active u s e of cam e ra-te ch nol ogy h as prove n to b e s u cce s s 2 fu l . Vide oph one s ys te m s cre ate a fe e l ing of s ocials e cu rity. It doe s not b e ar th e privacy re s trictions of pas s ive cam e ra m onitoring, at th e s am e tim e im proving a de m and drive n care . Pe rs ons m ay conne ct to th e s ys te m w h e ne ve r th e y fe e ll ik e it. Th e s m al lcom m u nitie s of inde pe nde ntl y l iving pe rs ons w ith no s e ve re m e ntal dis ab il itie s as m e ntione d b y Van Be rl o1 cou l d b e ne fit gre atl y from s u ch a vide oph one s e t-u p. It w ou l d not onl y dim inis h th e ne e d for dire ct pe rs onalcare at nigh t b u t al s o du ring th e day. O l de r adu l ts w ith s e ve re m e ntaldis ab il itie s cou l d b e m onitore d b y u s e of oth e r te ch nol ogie s th an th at of cam e ras . Th e D u tch as s ociation for h om e care (LVT) is in th e proce s s of e val u ating al lnational proje cts now u s ing a vide oph one te ch niq u e , to b e com pl e te d b y au tu m n th is ye ar. R e fe re nce s 1. Be rl o A van. Eth ics in dom otics . Ge ronte ch nol ogy 3(3):170;2005 2. w w w .cam care .nl ;acce s s e d Ju l y 2, 2005 H el ianth e S.M . K ort Ph D Facu l ty Ch air D e m and D rive n Care , Facu l ty of H e al th Care , H oge s ch oolvan Utre ch t, Utre ch t, Th e Ne th e rl ands E: h il l y.k ort@ h vu.nl

BO O K R EVIEW

Ch arne s s , N. & W arne r Sch aie , K . (Eds .) (2003) Im pact of Te ch nol ogy on Su cce s s fu lA ging. Ne w York : Springe r, 352 page s . ISBN 0-8261-2403-8. Price : US$47.9 5 Th is vol u m e is th e fifte e nth in th e s e rie s ‘Socie talIm pact on A ging’ th at s tarte d in 19 89 and w h ich pre s e nts th e contrib u tions of confe re nce s in a s pe cialw ay. Th e re are s ix re vie w s on a re s tricte d nu m b e r of topics w h ich are fol l ow e d b y

R e vi e w

tw o dis cu s s ion pape rs , one b y a s cie ntis t of th e s am e dis cipl ine , and one from a ne igh b ou ring dis cipl ine . W h e re as dis cu s s ion and m u l tidis cipl inarity m igh t b e th ou gh t to prom ote dis s e nt and controve rs y, th is is not th e cas e in th is vol um e th at s ports cons tru ctive com m e nts and agre e m e nt. Roge rs and Fis k introdu ce th e ge ne ral topic w ith a com pre h e ns ive re vie w of w h e re te ch nol ogy fail s to b e u s ab l e and w h at can b e done to cou nte r th is . Th e y s h ow th at de s igne rs cons is te ntl y u nde re s tim ate th e inh e re nt variab il ity in th e popu l ation, of you ng and ol de r pe opl e al ik e ; a point force fu l l y e m ph as iz e d b y Ch arne s s . Sch ie b e r provide s an adm irab l y b road re vie w of th e e ffe ct of aging on vis ion, h e aring, atte ntion and m e m ory. Inte re s ting ne w ph e nom e na h e pre s e nts are th at re du ction in col ou r s e ns itivity can b e com pe ns ate d q u ite w e l lb y incre as ing l u m inance . A noth e r is th at th e de cl ine in s pe e ch inte l l igib il ity, docu m e nte d al re ady b y Je rge r to s tart in th e m id th irtie s , can b e re du ce d b y providing s e m antic conte xt of ne igh b ou ring w ords . Com m e nting on th e de s ign gu ide l ine s propos e d b y Sch ie b e r, Foz ard note s th at cons u m e r e du cation is al so l ack ing, e .g., in re l ation to h e aring aids . From th e re vie w b y Cz aja and Le e th e re ade r can de du ce th at actu al e m pirical re s e arch on Inte rne t u s e b y ol de r pe opl e is rath e r s carce ; m u ch m ore is k now n on th e capab il ity of ol de r pe opl e to l e arn to u s e s oftw are appl ications . H e l pfu l l y, M orre l l , D ail ey and Rou s s e au pre s e nt th e ir s tu dy on th e u s ab il ity of th e w e b s ite NIH Se niorH e al th .gov from w h ich it appe ars th at e xis ting gu ide l ine s can s til lb e too vagu e , b u t as th e y cl aim , th e de s ign of th e s ite can s e rve as an inte re s ting m ode l .A m os t w e l com e ch apte r is th at b y M ann on th e b e ne fits of as s is tive te ch nol ogy, b oth in te rm s of financialcos t and in te rm s of ph ys icaland ps ych ol ogicalw e l l -b e ing. W h il e as s is tive te ch nol ogy in m os t cas e s cannot pre ve nt fu rth e r de cl ine , it cou l d b e s h ow n th at th e l ack of as s is tive te ch nol ogy l e ads to m u ch gre ate r de cl ine , and in th e e nd far h igh e r cos ts . Ye t, te ch nol ogy m ay not b e s e e n as as s is tive at al l . A ccording to th e s tu dy b y W ah l and M ol l e nk opf cons u m e r produ cts , m os tl y for e nte rtainm e nt and com m u nication, h ave a h igh e r diffu s ion rate and popu l arity th an dom e s tic appl iance s . Re m ark ab l y, w h il e pe opl e h ave ab ou t th e s am e nu m b e r of b ad e xpe rie nce s for h ou s e h ol d te ch nol ogy as for com m u nication and e nte rtainm e nt produ cts , th e y h ave m ore fe ar for th e l atte r, w h ich s e e m s s trange cons ide ring th e pote ntialph ys icalris k s . W ah land M ol l e nk opf argu e th at e xpe rim e ntal inte re s t h as l arge l y gone to th e m icro l e ve l , and not to th e b roade r s ocie talfactors th at infl u e nce te ch nol ogy u s e . In th e finalch apte r Liu and Park give s om e inte re s ting e xam pl e s of h ow te ch nol ogy can b e u s e d e ffe ctive l y in s u pporting corre ct

D on G. Bou w h u is Ph D E: d.g.b ouw h uis @ tue .nl

PEO PLE

R ich ard Pie pe r h onorary m e m b e r for l ife ! Rich ard Pie pe r w as appointe d h onorary m e m b e r of th e Inte rnationalSocie ty for Ge ronte ch nol ogy in a Board M e e ting in Nagoya, M ay 27, 2005. Earl ie r appointe d h onorary m e m b e rs are H e rm an Bou m a, Vappu Taipal e and Jan Graafm ans . Prof. Rich ard Pie pe r h as q u al ifications in s ociol ogy of u rb an and s ocial pl anning, te ch nol ogy and e nvironm e nt, and ge rontol ogy. H e re ce ive d h is Ph .D . in s ociol ogy at th e Unive rs ity of H am b u rg and h is ‘H ab il itation’ at th e Te ch nicalUnive rs ity of M u nich . Since 19 9 4 h e is profe s s or for u rb an s tu die s and s ocialpl anning at th e Unive rs ity of Bam b e rg. H is m ain fie l ds of re s e arch are in age ing and te ch nol ogy, and pl anning and m anage m e nt of s ocial and h e al th care s ys te m s . Be s ide s s tu die s on cons ul tation of h om e adaptations for th e e l de rl y and ge riatric am b u l ant re h ab il itation h e participate d s ince 19 9 6 in tw o EU-proje cts in th e fie l d of el de rl y care : PLA NEC (19 9 6-9 8) - a R& D proje ct in th e Te l e m atics A ppl ication program m e de ve l oping a PC-appl ication for pl anning, m onitoring and e val u ation of e l de rl y care s ys te m in Eu rope

(s u b contractor), TED (19 9 7-9 9 ) - Te ch nol ogy, Eth ics and D e m e ntia, a conce rte d action u nde r BIO M ED 2 s tu dying th e options for th e s u pport of inde pe nde nt l iving of pe rs ons w ith de m e ntia and th e ir care rs b y innovative te ch nol ogie s and de ve l oping a PC-appl ication for th e s tim u l ation and activation of de m e ntia patie nts (co-ordinator). From 19 9 2 - 19 9 6 h e w as re pre s e ntative for Ge rm any in th e EU-program CO ST A 5 ‘A ge ing and Te ch nol ogy’. Since 2001 h e is partne r for Ge rm any in th e EU-Th e m atic Ne tw ork ‘CA RM EN Th e Care and M anage m e nt of Se rvice s for O l de r Pe opl e in Eu rope Ne tw ork ’. Rich ard is one of th e co-fou nde rs of th e Inte rnationalSocie ty for Ge ronte ch nol ogy, and s e rve d m ore th an 3 te rm s on th e Board, u s u al l y h ol ding th e office of vice -pre s ide nt. In addition h e organiz e d th e s u cce s s fu l3rd Inte rnationalConfe re nce on Ge ronte ch nol ogy in M u nich in 19 9 9 . Jan Ek b e rg, ISG Se cre tary-Ge ne ral . E: jan.e k b e rg@ s tak e s .fi

ISG BUSINESS

Im pre s s ions from th e Nagoya Confe re nce Som e s tatis tics : th e confe re nce cou nte d 200 participants from 16 diffe re nt cou ntrie s . In total 74% of th e participants originate d from 6 diffe re nt A s ian nations . Eu rope w as pre s e nt w ith 8 cou ntrie s and 37 participants (18.5%), w h il e 2 cou ntrie s of North A m e rica accou nte d of 15 pe rs ons or 7.5% of th e atte ndance .

Pl e nary m e e ting D is cu s s ions w e re l ive l y and re s u l te d in a good e xch ange of inform ation as to th e s itu ation and te ch nol ogicaloptions in th e diffe re nt ge ograph ical re gions . K ans e i e ngine e ring (u s e r-orie nte d de s ign) appe are d to b e th e m ains tre am in Japan, m ak ing it an e xam pl e to th e re s t of th e w orl d. A m ore de tail e d re port w il lb e incl u de d in th e ne xt is s u e . M. Nagam ach i (te xt) Ne ilCh arne s s (pictu re s )

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m e dication or h ow m ob il e ph one s w ith a m inim al inte rface can b e im m e ns e l y u s e fu l in s itu ations of frail ty. Th e re is s om e du pl ication in th is ch apte r w ith th at of Sch ie b e r ab ou t m e m ory th at cou l d h ave b e e n b e tte r co-ordinate d. A n intrigu ing finding is m e ntione d b y th e au th ors in th at ol de r pe opl e h aving re ad fal s e inform ation te nd to th ink it is tru e on re pe ate d re ading, u nl ik e you nge r fol k s , w h o ge t m ore convince d it is fal s e . It provide s an inte re s ting gl im ps e of th e factors one cou l d l ook at in introdu cing te ch nol ogy into s ocie ty. M orrow s h ow s th at e ve n b as ic te ch nol ogy, l ik e note tak ing, can im prove e l de rl y cognitive fu nctioning im pre s s ive l y. A noth e r practicalob s e rvation is th at b y Gu e l dne r and Loe b , w h o s tu die d th e b e ne fit of a te l e ph one for pe opl e w ith ph ys icall im itations . It is a b e au tifu l e xam pl e of h ow care fu lob s e rvation of s im pl e activitie s can produ ce val u ab l e ins igh ts of gre at practicalre l e vance . D e s pite its titl e th is b ook is s u fficie ntl y varie d to e vok e b road inte re s t; e m ine ntl y s u itab l e for th e re s e arch e r in th is are a, u s e fu lfor gradu ate s tu de nts , b u t m ayb e s om e w h at l e s s appe al ing for th e th e oris t.

A u g u s t 2 0 0 5 , Vo l 4 , N o 1

Pe o p le / I SG B u s i n e s s

I SG B u s i n e s s

A u g u s t 2 0 0 5 , Vo l 4 , N o 1

D raft-m inute s of th e Ge ne ral A s se m bl y of M ay 26, 2005, Nagoya, Japan


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Fl ock ing in th e e xh ib ition h al l

Live l y dis cus s ion (Jam e s Foz ard)

Ch airs m e e ting: Mits uo Nagam ach i, ch air of th e confe re nce (l e ft) and H e rm an Boum a, pre s ide nt of th e ISG

Am az ing drum m ing at th e b anq ue t

Pre s e nt: 19 m e m b e rs from 5 cou ntrie s A pol ogie s : Tre as u re r W ie t K ore n 1.W e l com e Pre s ide nt of ISG, H e rm an Bou m a ope ne d th e m e e ting at 6 pm and w e l com e d th e participants . Jan Ek b e rg w as e l e cte d as s e cre tary for th e m e e ting. 2. D raft m inute s from th e A s s e m b l y m e e ting 2002 Th e draft m inu te s of th e Ge ne ralA s s e m b l y of Nove m b e r 10, 2002, M iam i, USA w e re approve d w ith th e corre ction th at K az u o Yam ab a (l ocalorganis ing com m itte e ) w as e l e cte d to th e b oard. 3.A nnounce m e nts Paol o D ario pre s e nte d th e draft conte nt for an ISG confe re nce 20-23 M ay 2008 in Pis a. Th e Ital ian popu l ation is aging ve ry fas t. Th e re s e arch on te ch nol ogy for s u pporting ol de r pe opl e is ve ry dive rs ifie d incl u ding, for ins tance , com m u nications , inform ation te ch nol ogy, rob otics . Th e confe re nce cou l d b e organis e d partl y in co-ope ration w ith oth e r organis ations in orde r to ge t atte ndants from oth e r dis cipl ine s to ge t inte re s te d in ge ronte ch nol ogy. Th e A s s e m b l y approve d th e propos alto h ave th e ne xt confe re nce in Pis a. Vice pre s ide nt Ne ilCh arne s s gave a s h ort ove rvie w of th e M iam i ISG congre s s 2002. Th e nu m b e r of participants , 161, w as a l ittl e too s m al lw h ich re s u l te d in a s m al ll os s . Bu t th e confe re nce as s u ch w as good and appre ciate d. Vice pre s ide nt M its u o Nagam ach i, ge ne ralch air for th e organis ing com m itte e , gave an ove rvie w of th e Nagoya confe re nce . O rganis ing com m itte e pre s ide nt w as Noritak a Sh im iz u , s e nior advis or to th e b oard, Toyota M otor Corporation. Profe s s or K az u o Yam ab a ch aire d th e l ocalorganis ing com m itte e , and K e n Sagaw a th e program com m itte e . Final nu m b e r of acce pte d pape rs w as 142 and acce pte d pos te rs 26. Th e nu m b e r of participants w as 181 (tu rne d ou t l ate r to b e as h igh as 200). 4.R e ports Exe cutive b oard re port: Th e inte rnationals ocie ty for Ge ronte ch nol ogy h as b e e n pre s e nte d at m any congre s s e s du ring th e l as t pe riod in EU, US and Japan. Pub l ication com m itte e : Th e jou rnalis now th e pre dom inant m e diu m for ISG. Th e Socie ty cou l d pu b l is h is s u e s 2-4 of vol u m e 2, and 1-4 of vol u m e 3. A nne l ie s van Brons w ijk gave a s h ort ove rvie w of th e pe e r re vie w ing proce s s and tol d th e m e m b e rs th at th e re are ab ou t 20 m anu s cripts in th e variou s re vie w ph as e s at th is m om e nt, b u t s til lm ore m anu s cripts are ne e de d. Finance s: A nne l ie s van Brons w ijk gave a s h ort ove rvie w . Th e s ocie ty h as s u cce s s fu l l y got m ore and m ore m e m b e rs e ve ry ye ar, th e totalnu m b e r

H ans -W e rne r W ah l , Ge rm any R e gionalre pre s e ntative s : O l d m e m b e rs continu e . Th e l is t of nam e s and addre s s e s w il lb e pu b l is h e d on th e ISG w e b s ite s . Pos s ib l e ch ange s can b e com m u nicate d to th e s e cre tary ge ne ral Jan Ek b e rg. E: jan.e k b e rg@ s tak e s .fi 6.Future A ctivitie s 2002-2005 Sixth W orl d Congre s s of Ge ronte ch nol ogy w il l be h e l d on 20-23 M ay 2008 in Pis a, Ital y. Th e goal is to ge t m ore m e m b e rs , re gional ch apte rs , indu s trialas s ociate m e m b e rs as w e l l as m ore non-profit as s ociate m e m b e rs . 7.O th e r Bus ine s s None 8.Ne xt m e e ting Ne xt m e e ting w il lb e in conju nction of th e ne xt congre s s in Pis a, in 2008. H e rm an Boum a, Ch airm an of th e m e e ting Jan Ek b e rg, Se cre tary of th e m e e ting Scuol a Supe riore Sant'A nna w ilorganiz e th e 2008 confe re nce ! Th e Scu ol a Su pe riore Sant’A nna (SSSA , h ttp://w w w .s s s u p.it) in Pis a is a pu b l ic, re s ide ntialu nive rs ity offe ring opportu nitie s in re s e arch and advance d s tu die s in s ocials cie nce s (e conom ics and m anage m e nt, l aw , pol itical s cie nce ) and e xpe rim e ntals cie nce s (e ngine e ring, m e dicine and agricu l tu ral s cie nce ). Th e Sch ool 's m is s ion is to e du cate s tu de nts in a s tim u l ating and active acade m ic e nvironm e nt offe ring pe rs onal is e du nde rgradu ate tu toring, gradu ate program s (m as te r's and doctoralprogram s ), and continu ing e du cation profe s s ional cou rs e s . Th e Sch ool participate s in m u l tipl e and grow ing inte rnationalne tw ork s of acade m ic and oth e r re s e arch ins titu tions , e xch anging program s w ith inte rnationalprofe s s ionaland b u s ine s s as s ociations , indu s try and pu b l ic age ncie s in variou s re s e arch are as s u ch as ap-

Entrance of Pol o Sant'Anna Val de ra re s tore d in 2002

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now s u rpas s ing 100. In addition 15 l ib rarie s h ave s u b s crib e d to th e jou rnal . Bu t s til lne w m e m b e rs are ne e de d, and al ls h ou l d b e active in th e re cru iting of th e m . Re gionalCh apte rs ( > 25 m e m b e rs ) are b e ing fou nde d in Japan (Eas t A s ia re gion), and l ate r in Ital y and th e Nordic re gion Th e Board s u cce e de d in ob taining a l oan from th e H e rm an Bou m a Fou ndation for Ge ronte ch nol ogy to finance part of th e jou rnal is s u e s . Incom e from m e m b e rs h ip fe e s and s u b s criptions doe s not ye t cou nte r th e cos ts of produ cing is s u e s . To ach ie ve a b al ance , incom e m u s t incre as e . Th is m ay b e done b y incre as ing th e m e m b e rs h ip and th e nu m b e r of s u b s crib ing l ib rarie s , or b y s e l l ing adve rtis e m e nts . A th ird option is to com b ine th e s e l l ing of adve rtis e m e nts w ith th e as s ociate m e m b e rs h ip. A s s ociate (corporate ) m e m b e rs h ip (1500 €/ye ar) w il lth e n incl u de re ce iving th e jou rnaland th e righ t to adve rtis e (h al f a page in e ach is s u e ). M e m b e rs h ip fe e is u nch ange d, 100 €/ye ar and 500 €/ye ar for non-profit A s s ociate M e m b e rs . ISG A rticl e s of A ssociation Th e te xt pu b l is h e d in Ge ronte ch nol ogy M ay 2005, Vol3, No 4, (p260-262) w as u pdate d and s u b s e q u e ntl y approve d. Th e approve d ve rs ion w il lb e pu b l is h e d on th e ISG w e b s ite . (Th e Board h as b e e n e nl arge d, and m e e ts in conne ction w ith th e confe re nce e ve ry 3rd ye ar. Part of it, th e ne w Cou ncil , m e e ts e ve ry ye ar. Th e as s ociate s e cre tary for th e ne xt confe re nce participate s in th e Cou ncil .) ISG Bye l aw s Th e te xt pu b l is h e d in Ge ronte ch nol ogy D e c 2004, Vol3, No 2, (p119 -122) w as u pdate d and s u b s e q u e ntl y approve d. Th e approve d ve rs ion w il lb e pu b l is h e d on th e ISG w e b s ite . Th e ne w Cou ncilre pl ace s th e ol d Board. 5.El e ctions Pre s ide nt, H e rm an Bou m a, Ne th e rl ands , 2nd te rm Editor-in-ch ie f of th e Jou rnal , A nne l ie s (J.E.M .H .) van Brons w ijk , Ne th e rl ands , 2nd te rm Ge ne rals e cre tary, Jan Ek b e rg, Finl and, 2nd te rm Tre as ure r, W ie t (L.G.H .) K ore n, Ne th e rl ands , 2nd te rm Vice -pre s ide nt as organiz e r of th e Nagoya Confe re nce : M its u o Nagam ach i, Japan, 2nd te rm Vice -Pre s ide nt as organiz e r of th e ne xt confe re nce : Paol o D ario, Ital y A s s ociate s e cre tary, Giu s e ppe A ne rdi, Ital y O th e r Board M e m b e rs : D ario Bracco, Ital y Ne ilCh arne s s , USA , Ch airpe rs on of th e Editorial Board, 3rd te rm Roge r Col e m an, Unite d K ingdom France s co Franch im on, Ne th e rl ands , office r for adve rtis e m e nts and oth e r paid ne w s ite m s in th e Jou rnal Ram on M . Gu tm ann, A rge ntine K az u o Yam ab a, Japan, 2nd te rm

A u g u s t 2 0 0 5 , Vo l 4 , N o 1

I SG B u s i n e s s

W o r ld N e w s

A u g u s t 2 0 0 5 , Vo l 4 , N o 1

pl ie d m e dicalre s e arch , b u s ine s s organis ation and training; b as ic and appl ie d s cie ntific re s e arch and cu tting-e dge te ch nol ogicalde ve l opm e nt.


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Th e re s e arch s tru ctu re of th e Scu ol a Su pe riore Sant’A nna is com pos e d of s e ve rall ab oratorie s active in diffe re nt re s e arch fie l ds . A m ong th e m w e cite : Th e A R TS Lab (A dvance d Rob otics Te ch nol ogy and Sys te m Lab oratory) fou nde d in 19 89 , h as b e e n pu rpos e l y e s tab l is h e d w ith th e aim of carrying ou t th e ore ticaland e xpe rim e ntalre s e arch in b iom e dical rob otics and b ioe ngine e ring. M ore th an 45 fu l l -tim e m u l tidis cipl inary re s e arch e rs inve s tigate s cie ntific and te ch nol ogicalprob l em s as s ociate d w ith th e de ve l opm e nt of com pone nts and inte grate d s ys te m s for s e ns ing de vice s , ne u ros cie nce , au tom atic control , inform ation te ch nol ogy, te l e m atics , b io-e ngine e ring, b io-m e ch atronics , h u m anoid rob otics , b io-m e dicals ignaland m ove m e nt anal ys is , training m e th odol ogie s , innovative m ate rial s , innovation and te ch nol ogy trans fe r. Th e A RTS Lab h as activate d a Joint Lab oratory for Re s e arch on H u m anoid Rob otics at th e W as e da Unive rs ity of Tok yo, Japan. Th e CR IM Lab (Ce ntre for Re s e arch in M icro-e ngine e ring) w as e s tab l is h e d at th e SSSA w ith th e s pe cific m is s ion to pe rform appl ie d re s e arch on m icro-m e ch atronics m ainl y in th e b iom e dical fie l d, and to im pl e m e nt s e rvice activitie s aim e d at prom oting th e indu s trialtak e -u p and e xpl oitation. Th e CRIM Lab h as m ore th an 40 fu l ltim e re s e arch e rs pos s e s s ing inte rdis cipl inary e xpe rtis e ; a variab l e nu m b e r of gradu ate s tu de nts are al so invol ve d.

Th e ne w l y b uil t CRIM Lab of th e Scuol a, in us e s ince 2003 Th e E-Z Lab , Re s e arch Ce ntre on Te ch nol ogy and Su pport Se rvice s to Longe vity, e s tab l is h e d in 2001, inte grate s e xpe rtis e s in b ioe ngine e ring, s ocial and e conom ic s cie nce s , h u m an factors , m ark e t anal ys is , m e dicine and l aw and prom ote s proje ct and cu l tu ralinitiative s aim e d at s u pporting th e ne e ds of s e nior citiz e ns w ith th e indu s trialinnovation opportu nitie s re l ate d to l onge vity.

Variou s re s e arch proje cts h ave b e e n carrie d ou t in th is fram e . Th e y incl u de pe rs onalcare facil itie s conform ing to th e variab l e profil e of ol de r or im paire d u s e rs and inte grate d in a dom otic ne tw ork , th e s tu dy of active pros th e tic am b ie nts to im prove th e s afe ty and th e q u al ity of l ife of m ode rate cognitive l y im paire d facil itating th e ir l iving at h om e , w h il e l igh te ning th e b u rde n of care give rs . Particu l ar atte ntion is de vote d to th e de ve l opm e nt of m e ch atronic and rob otic s ys te m s for th e com pre h e ns ion of th e m odification of th e m otor control s trate gie s indu ce d b y th e aging proce s s and to as s e s s in u ns tru ctu re d e nvironm e nt th e pe rform ance of s e nior citiz e ns . A n im portant proje ct (Pe cciol i for th e El de rl y) h as b e e n carrie d ou t in th e l as t te n ye ars toge th e r w ith th e M u nicipal ity of Pe cciol i (a s m al lvil l age ne ar Pis a), l e ading to a h igh l y innovative ne tw ork of s ocialand h e al th care s e rvice s for th e el de rl y, incl u ding a h igh -te ch nu rs ing h om e . It w il lb e cl e ar from th e ab ove th at th e Scu ol a Su pe riore Sant'A nna is w e l le q u ippe d to organiz e th e ne xt inte rnational ISG Confe re nce as h as b e e n s tipu l ate d b y th e Ge ne ralA s s e m b l y of th e ISG in Nagoya in M ay th is ye ar. Paol o D ario Ph D , Scu ol a Su pe riore Sant'A nna, Pis a, Ital y E: dario@ s s s up.it

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NEW S A rge ntine an Initiative to Fos te r Ne w Te ch nol ogy for O l de r Pe rs ons In 2003, th e Gove rnm e nt of A rge ntina ide ntifie d as a nationalpriority th e infras tru ctu re cre ation for indu s trialde ve l opm e nt of te ch nol ogicalaids for ol de r citiz e ns . Th e NationalIns titu te for Indu s trialTe ch nol ogy –INTI (w w w .inti.gov.ar ), th e cou ntry's officials tandards b ody and nationw ide ne tw ork of R& D ce ntre s , w as m andate d w ith th e e s tab l is h m e nt of a re s e arch and de ve l opm e nt and indu s try l iais on u nit to ach ie ve th is s trate gic goal . Th e Te ch nol ogy for Se rving th e El de rl y R& D program m e , w h ich is s ch e du l e d to b e gin ope rations e arl y in 2005, is to b e an inte rface b e tw e e n indu s try (particu l arl y SM Es ) and INTI's ne tw ork of s pe cial ty l ab oratorie s (incl u ding m e ch anicale ngine e ring, e l e ctronics , m ate rial s s cie nce , de s ign, and h u m an factors ). SM Es aim ing to de ve l op ne w as s is tive produ cts for th e 3rd age m ark e t, but l ack ing th e facil itie s or k now -h ow for inh ou s e de ve l opm e nt, can appl y to INTI for re s e arch and produ ct de ve l opm e nt to b e pe rform e d on th e ir b e h al f at INTI l ab oratorie s , re s ul ting in advance d prototype s for m ark e t te s ting. In Nove m b e r 2004, INTI h e l d in Bu e nos A ire s th e ‘Firs t Sym pos iu m on Te ch nol ogy in th e Se rvice of O l de r Pe opl e ’. O ve r 300 de l e gate s ,

W o r ld N e w s

Law re nce Norm ie E: LR Norm ie @ jdc.org.il FICD A T: A Fe s tival of Inte rnational Confe re nce s on D is ab il ity, A ging, and Te ch nol ogy Th is s m orgas b ord of profe s s ionalm e e tings on age ing is s u e s is to tak e pl ace concu rre ntl y in Toronto du ring th e pe riod Ju ne 16-19 , 2007. Th e fou r confe re nce th e m e s are (i) Grow ing ol de r w ith a dis ab il ity; (ii) Te ch nol ogy and A ging, (iii) A dvance s in ne u ro-re h ab il itation, and (iv) Care give rs and e s s e ntial partne rs in care . Unde r th e ae gis of FICD A T, th e 2nd Inte rnational Confe re nce on Te ch nol ogy and A ging w il le x-

Info: w w w .ficdat.ca SIVA Portalof th e Ital ian Gove rnm e nt A w e al th of inform ation on inde pe nde nt l iving in s pite of ph ys icalre s trictions is avail ab l e on th e SIVA portalof th e Ital ian gove rnm e nt on as s is tive te ch nol ogy and inde pe nde nt l iving. Th e s ite provide s gu idance on as s is tive te ch nol ogie s for inde pe nde nce , q u al ity of l ife and participation in s ocie ty of pe rs ons w ith dis ab il itie s . Th e portal contains b oth datab as e s and oth e r s e rvice s for e nd u s e rs , profe s s ional and re s e arch e r. It incl u de s a ne w s s e ction and a foru m . Th e datab as e s m ay b e s e arch e d b y b oth Engl is h and Ital ian k e y w ords . Info: h ttp://s iva.w e l fare .gov.it/ENG/ e -Incl us ion: Cal lfor propos al s Tw e nty-nine m il l ion e u ros are to b e al l ocate d to s h are d cos t col l ab orative proje cts w ith in th e e -Incl u s ion initiative - part of th e Eu rope an Com m is s ion's 6th Fram e w ork Program m e (th e m atic are a: Inform ation Socie ty Te ch nol ogie s ). Propos al s w il lb e acce pte d u ntilSe pte m b e r 21, 2005. Th e tw o prioritie s of th e cu rre nt cal lare : (i) To m ains tre am acce s s ib il ity in cons u m e r goods and s e rvice s , incl u ding pu b l ic s e rvice s th rou gh appl ie d re s e arch and de ve l opm e nt of advance d te ch nol ogie s ; Th is w il lh e l p e ns u re e q u alacce s s , inde pe nde nt l iving and participation for al lin th e Inform ation Socie ty; (ii) To de ve l op ne xt ge ne ration as s is tive s ys te m s th at e m pow e r pe rs ons w ith (in particu l ar cognitive ) dis ab il itie s and

A u g u s t 2 0 0 5 , Vo l 4 , N o 1

pl ore h ow te ch nol ogicaladvance s can contrib u te to a pos itive q u al ity of l ife as w e age . Th e confe re nce w il lprovide an opportu nity for re s e arch e rs , de s igne rs , pol icy m ak e rs and cons u m e rs to pre s e nt and l e arn ab ou t ne w and innovative te ch nol ogie s b e ing de ve l ope d to h e l p ol de r adu l ts participate fu l l y in th e ir dail yl ive s . Topics of inte re s t w il lincl u de th e de s ign and u s e of as s is tive te ch nol ogy, s m art h om e s and inte l l ige nt s ys te m s , te ch nol ogy for care giving, im pact and ou tcom e s of te ch nol ogy on q u al ity of l ife , and pol icy and l e gis l ative is s u e s , as w e l las topics re l ate d to s afe ty and pe rform ance s tandards for ne w te ch nol ogie s . A ccording to confe re nce coch air D r. Ge off Fe rnie , th e Fe s tivalis a conce pt th at w il lal l ow fou r re al l y s ignificant confe re nce s to b e h e l d in an e nvironm e nt in w h ich th e re w il l b e opportu nitie s for gre ate r inte raction b e tw e e n th e confe re nce de l e gate s , w ith e conom y of s cal e for confe re nce adm inis tration. "It l ook s as th ou gh th is is b e com ing q u ite a b ig e ve nt", Fe rnie tol d Ge ronte ch nol ogy Jou rnal , "and s e ve ralorganiz ations are now partne ring w ith individu alconfe re nce s or are arranging e ve nts as pre - or pos t-fe s tivalactivitie s ."

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from A rge ntina, Paragu ay, and Uru gu ay, atte nde d th e e ve nt;th e y re pre s e nte d th e e ntire profe s s ionals pe ctru m of age ing is s u e s , incl u de d e xpe rts in ge rontol ogy, ge riatrics , cardiol ogy, ne u rol ogy, re h ab il itation e ngine e ring, and ins titu tionalcare . A cons ide rab l e nu m b e r of SM E re pre s e ntative and private inve ntors (incl u ding an official of th e NationalA s s ociation of Inve ntors ) al s o participate d; m any of w h om are e age r to de ve l op and m ark e t ne w te ch nol ogicalprodu cts for th e 3rd-age m ark e t. Inte rnationalk e y note s pe ak e rs , invite d from th e USA and Is rae l , de s crib e d th e ir re s pe ctive organis ations ' e xpe rie nce s in te ch nol ogy re s e arch and de ve l opm e nt for th e b e ne fit of ol de r pe opl e . D u ring th e inte ns ive tw oday m e e ting, th irty pape rs w e re pre s e nte d, cove ring a w ide range of is s u e s , incl u ding m e dical , e conom ic, ps ych os ocial , produ ct e ngine e ring and de s ign, and pol icy. In paral l e lw ith th e s ym pos iu m and program m e l au nch , INTI h as pu b l is h e d on its w e b s ite th re e catal ogu e s in Spanis h : a catal ogu e of as s is tive and re h ab il itative produ cts de ve l ope d and m anu factu re d b y A rge ntine an com panie s (w w w .inti.gov.ar/te rce rae dad/pdf /Catal ogo_produ ctos 1.pdf); a ge ne ralcom pe ndiu m of com m e rcial l y avail ab l e as s is tive de vice s (w w w .inti.gov.ar/te rce rae dad/pdf/Catal ogo_-ayu das 2.pdf); and a s h ow cas e catal ogu e of w ork b y a tal e nte d te am of you ng indu s trialde s igne rs w h o w e re invite d b y INTI to cre ate prototype as s is tive produ cts for dis pl ay du ring th e s ym pos iu m (w w w .inti.gov.ar/te rce rae dad/pdf/Catal ogos _de s arrol l o3.pdf) . Priz e s w e re aw arde d for th e b e s t de s igns . A l th ou gh s e ve ralof th e s e produ ct ide as al re ady h ave com m e rcial l y avail ab l e cou nte rparts , th e cre ative ou tpu t of th e grou p de m ons trate s A rge ntina's de s ign tal e nt at th e dis pos al of com panie s w is h ing to e nte r th is nas ce nt m ark e t s e ctor. A b ook of th e s ym pos iu m pre s e ntations is e xpe cte d to b e pu b l is h e d du ring 2005. For m ore inform ation on th is and INTI's program m e on te ch nol ogy for ol de r pe opl e , contact Ing. Rafae lK oh anoff, e m ail : rk oh anoff@ inti.gov.ar.

C a le n d e r o f E ve n ts

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aging citiz e ns to pl ay a fu l lrol e in s ocie ty, to incre as e th e ir au tonom y and to re al iz e th e ir pote ntial . A ny type of l e gale ntity (indu s trial , acade m ic, non-profit, e tc.) can appl y for fu nding u nde r th is cal l . Info: w w w .cordis .l u/is t/dire ctorate _f/e incl us ion


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A ge ing and future R e s e arch and Coh e s ion Pol icie s in th e EU In 2005, pe opl e age d 65+ in th e EU25 re pre s e nt 16% of th e totalpopu l ation of Eu rope or 24,5% of w h at is cons ide re d to b e th e w ork ing age popul ation. By 2050, as a re s u l t of de m ograph ic ch ange s , ol de r pe opl e (65+ ) w il l cons titu te 29 ,9 % of th e popu l ation. In th e conte xt of Coh e s ion Pol icy, e ns u ring th at EU M e m b e r State s and re gional and l ocal ins titu tions re s pond to th e im pact of th e s e ch ange s for th e ir te rritorie s is going to b e cru cial . Pu b l ic au th oritie s w il lne e d to e ns u re th at h ou s ing and s e rvice s are de s igne d for an incre as ing nu m b e r of ol de r citiz e ns . Th e s e is s u e s pre s e nt b oth opportu nitie s and ch al l e nge s for th os e w ork ing on th e 2007/13 Eu rope an s tru ctu ral fu nds program m e s . Th e Eu rope an Parl iam e nt's ‘Inte rgrou p on A ge ing’, w h ich incl u de s Eu rope an M e m b e rs of Parl iam e nt from a range of m e m b e r s tate s , acade m ics and re pre s e ntative s of Eu rope an re gions , re cognis e s th at cons ide ration of age ing h as te nde d to focu s on th e cos t of m ore ol de r pe opl e on pu b l ic finance s . H ow e ve r, th e y ack now l e dge th at m ore ne e ds to b e done to prom ote aw are ne s s of th e vitalrol e of ol de r pe opl e in l e ading th e ir com m u nitie s , and al s o in providing s u pport and care to you nge r pe opl e and ol de r, de pe ndant pe opl e , and al s o w ork tow ards inve s ting in proje cts to s u pport ol de r pe opl e to b e active and produ ctive . Lam b e rt van Nis te l rooij E: l vannis te l rooij@ e uroparl .e u.int Jyos tna Pate l E: jyos tna.pate l @ age -pl atform .org

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O F E VENTS A u gu s t 23 - 25, 2005 A cce s s ib l e D e s ign in th e D igitalW orl d D u nde e , Scotl and, UK O rganiz e r: D igitalM e dia A cce s s Grou p, D e partm e nt of A ppl ie d Com pu ting, Unive rs ity of D u nde e Info: w w w .acce s s inth e digital w orl d.org/2005/ Se pte m b e r 6-9 , 2005 A s s is tive te ch nol ogy from virtu al ity to re al ity: 8th Eu rope an Confe re nce for th e A dvance m e nt of A s s is tive Te ch nol ogy in Eu rope Lil l e , France O rganiz e r: Pack age Lil l e

Info: w w w .aaate 2005.com Se pte m b e r 23, 2005 From Care Re l iance to Inde pe nde nce , Inte rnationalBioph il ia Re h ab il itation Confe re nce Be rl in (D RFZ ), Ge rm any O rganiz e r: D e u ts ch e s Rh e u m a-Fors ch u ngs z e ntru m Info: w w w .b ioph il ia.info/b e rl in Se pte m b e r 29 –O ctob e r 1, 2005 VIVA 50pl u s ; W orl d A ge ing & Ge ne rations Congre s s 2005 Unive rs ity of St. Gal l e n, St. Gal l e n, Sw itz e rl and O rganiz e r: Sw is s A s s ociation for D e m ograph ic and Inte r-Ge ne rationalIs s u e s Info: w w w .viva50pl u s .org O ctob e r 9 -12, 2005 A SSETS 2005: Th e 7th Inte rnationalA CM SIGA CCESS Confe re nce on Com pu te rs and A cce s s ib il ity Bal tim ore , M aryl and, USA O rganiz e r: Ne w M e xico State Unive rs ity, Las Cru ce s , Ne w M e xico, USA Info: as e ars @ u m b c.e du O ctob e r 23-26, 2005 W h ite H ou s e Confe re nce on A ge ing 2005 W as h ington D C, USA O rganiz e r: US D e partm e nt of H e al th and H u m an Se rvice s Info: w w w .w h coa.gov Nove m b e r, 2005 ‘Te ch nol ogy and A ging’ e ve nt Conve ntion of th e Ge rontol ogical Socie ty of A m e rica, Ne w O rl e ans , LA , USA O rganiz e r: Form alInte re s t Grou p ‘Te ch nol ogy & A ging’ Info: w w w .gs a-tag.org/2005/inde x.h tm l Nove m b e r 3-6, 2005 Caring M ach ine s : A I in El de rcare W as h ington D C, USA O rganiz e r: A m e rican A s s ociation for A rtificialInte l l ige nce Info: w w w .m is u .b m c.org/~ b ick m ore /e l de rte ch A nnou nce m e nts of m e e tings and oth e r e ve nts for th e Ge ronte ch nol ogy Cal e ndar s h ou l d be s ubm itte d b y e -m ailto: j.e .m .h .v.b rons w ijk @ ge ronte ch nol ogy.info. Th e e ditors de cide to incl u de or not incl u de th e annou nce m e nt of a ce rtain e ve nt.