Technology is a friend of old age -this proposition may come as a surprise to some. That technological change in general, and modern information technology in particular, tend to place unreasonable demands on older people rather than providing support is a widespread notion. The contributions to this special issue, which stem from an interdisciplinary conference on aging and technology organized by the German Joint Academy Initiative on Aging, paint a different picture. 1 They suggest that modern information technology can make significant contributions to aging more successfully.
Abstract-This paper gives an overview of the INCAS (INCremental Architecture for distributed Systems) multicomputer project, which aims at the development of a comprehensive methodology for the design and implementation of locally distributed systems. A structuring concept for distributed operating systems has been developed and integrated into the system implementation language LADY. The concurrent high-level programming language CSSA, based on the actor model, has been designed for the implementation of distributed applications. A substantial effort in the INCAS project is directed towards the development of a distributed test methodology. An experimental system has been implemented on a network of ten MC68000 microcomputers. Preliminary experience with the methodology has been gained from a small number of prototype applications.
Due to fundamental demographic as well as social changes, the emergency medical services (EMS) have to respond to an increasing number of geriatric emergencies. By means of some typical case histories the practical problems arising in preclinical emergency medical intervention and the central role of context factors like social isolation, reduced mental capabilities and the resulting need for help are demonstrated. It is discussed how emergency medical services (EMS) can contribute to the problems of an ageing society beyond the scope of a system which is dedicated only to the individual. One possibility is the epidemiological analysis of geriatric emergencies, the accompanying context factors and the development of an adequate infrastructure which is adapted to the needs of the elderly. The EU project EMERGE is an example of how emergency medical expertise is utilized in an interdisciplinary cooperation. An automatically working system based on ambient sensor technology is developed for early detection and prevention of emergency situations in the home environment. Supportive technology ("assisted living") should enable the elderly to live a safe and self-determined life as long as possible. Integration of this additional information into the processes of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is the logistic prerequisite to establish a social medical assistance tailored to the needs of an ageing society.
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