Active and pleasant ageing: supported by technology

The proportion of the global population aged above 60 years old is growing more rapidly than any other age group creating several socio-economic challenges. Finding strategies to preserve functional independence for as long as possible is a priority to reduce the burden on the healthcare sector and enhance quality-of-life for the older population. In 2015, the World Health Organization defined Healthy Ageing as "the process of developing and maintaining thefunctional ability that enables wellbeing in older age". As such, Healthy Ageing places the individuals as active participants in
managing their own health, focusing on the importance of healthy behaviors as strategies to preserve functional ability in older age. Telemedicine systems and services - often interchangeably referred to as telehealth or eHealth systems - concern the use of ICT in the prevention, diagnosis and/or treatment of diseases from a distance . For Active and Healthy Ageing, telemedicine services can provide support in monitoring, diagnosis and treatment in several life domains, such as physical and mental health, mobility, social connectedness, everyday activities and leisure.

The main aim of this Thesis is to explore how technology can be utilized in the support of Active and Healthy Ageing in daily life, by promoting physical activity and emotional wellbeing in everyday life.