e-Health — Ambient Assisted Living and Personal Health Systems

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the healthcare aspects of ambient assisted living (AAL) and the contributions that personal health systems (PHS) may bring. As part of these categories, this chapter examines the areas of self-management, tele-assistance, media and multimedia solutions, fall detection, robotics, bio-parameter monitoring, auto adaptive treatment systems, tele-therapy, tele-consultation, tele-surgical assistance, and smart homes. For each approach, the nature and purposes of the technologies will be examined and examples will be discussed. The chapter will subsequently address the benefits and the challenges ahead for AAL and PHS technologies within the broader context of e-Health. Finally, the chapter concludes with observations and trends.