Design for AAL Integrated Furniture for the Care and Support of Elderly and Disabled People

The European furniture sector is a key driver of sustainable growth, with a significant contribution to Europe’s overall economic health, competitiveness, creativity, innovation, employment and exports. It provides 1.08 million jobs to the European economy, and the needs of the European population in the future are one of the key factors of its improvement. By 2050, the number of people in the EU aged 65 and above is expected to grow by 70 % and the number of people aged over 80 by 170 %! Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) allows people to live at home for longer, despite cognitive or physical impediments. AAL is the answer for the growing elderly population in most European economies, and is a growing sector creating jobs. Furniture for elderly and disabled people needs to be special because of the requirements of its users. Its functionality depends on a good combination of: design and ergonomics, basic electronics, psychology, and AAL.