Last week, we were able to experience two special visits to the AAL Lab, which once again showed how important it is to have a direct exchange about technology in old age - and how much interest there is in it.
First, we visited a Caritas self-help group for family caregivers in Görlitz. In an open discussion, we presented various everyday assistance solutions (AAL) - including intelligent emergency call systems, sensor-based everyday aids and simple technical applications for greater safety and relief in everyday care. The exchange was intensive and very practical - with lots of valuable feedback from real life.
A few days later, we welcomed three interested retired ladies to our model apartment who had become aware of the laboratory through the "Together instead of lonely" event.
With a great deal of curiosity, humor and openness, they were given a tour of our lab, asked questions - and tried out the technology for themselves. Whether digital helpers in the home, mobile assistance systems or simple communication solutions: It was an exciting morning with great conversations about the opportunities (and also limitations) of technology in old age.
Conclusion: technology alone is not enough - but it can build bridges. These visits have once again shown that we need spaces to try things out and understandable, low-threshold offers. Technology should not be seen as a substitute, but as a complement to human contact.
We would like to thank all visitors for their interest, openness and trust. Encounters like these make it clear how important technology with a sense of proportion and empathy is.
