Research programme - Assistive Technology for the Home (AT@Home)

Assistive technology - such as care robots, apps, or sensors in the home - can make an important contribution to the daily lives of (older) people with health problems and/or disabilities. Yet the potential of this technology is often not yet fully utilised. For example, people do not know of its existence, it is too complicated for the target group or too little is known about its effects to deploy it properly. As a result, much potential is lost, people experience unnecessary problems and frustrations in daily life, and people may need care in an earlier stage, or they may need more care. The research group Health Technology is working on this subject within the Medical Delta research programme AT@Home. 

Research programme 

This research programme is part of Medical Delta, a collaboration with various partners in the region. Together with companies, healthcare institutions and public authorities, Medical Delta is working on innovative solutions for sustainable healthcare. This research programme focuses on the optimal use of assistive technology for people with health problems and/or disabilities. In this programme, four universities of applied sciences in South Holland are working together with universities, healthcare organisations and municipalities. The programme consists of three main lines:   

• development of smart, sustainable and affordable technology.   
• evaluation of quality, usability, and cost-effectiveness.   
• implementation of proven technology in care, policy and education.   

This collaboration creates a strong network of researchers and (healthcare) partners that contributes to improving quality of life and relieving pressure on healthcare. 

Roos van der Vaart (researcher): "A lot of technology is being developed, but it’s not always easy to deploy this technology properly and sensibly. With this programme, we want to make good and proven technology actually available in the homes of people, so that these people will be able to live in their own homes for longer, while feeling comfortable and safe. By doing so, we also hope to relieve pressure on the healthcare system, because with this technology, people will not need care, or need it only at a later stage." 

With this programme, we want to make good and proven technology actually available in the homes of people, so that these people will be able to live in their own homes for longer, while feeling comfortable and safe. 

Objective 

The aim of this programme is to develop and apply knowledge for the optimal use of assistive technology for people at home. 

Method 

Within the research lines of development, evaluation and implementation, a wide range of methodologies will be used, both quantitative and qualitative. This will involve collaboration with the target group and healthcare organisations as much as possible, including within the Medical Delta living lab AT@Home. 

Results 

This research programme builds a strong network of researchers working with healthcare providers, municipalities and other partners on practice-oriented scientific research. This ensures growing knowledge and long-term collaboration for the future. The concrete results of the programme are: 

• a strong, productive and sustainable collaborative network of researchers; 
• connecting this programme with healthcare providers, municipalities and other stakeholders through joint programming of research and joint raising of funding; 
• training of researchers who can continue and expand this programme into the future; 
• scientific output in the form of publications and doctorates and practice-oriented products and services. 

Impact 

This programme should lead to practically applicable but scientifically robust knowledge and insights. This will enable end-users, healthcare professionals, and relevant funders and companies to improve their optimal support to people with disabilities so that they can remain independent and healthy for a longer period of time. The impact of the programme should ultimately be felt by people who use or need assistive technology. In addition, the programme should lead to scientific impact and innovations in healthcare, education and relevant industry. 

Duration 

The research programme started on 1 September 2024 and will continue until August 2028. 

Team 

• Luc de Witte 
• Roos van der Vaart 
• Lottie Kuijt - Evers 
• Elise Peters 

Collaboration 

For this programme, The Hague University of Applied Sciences is collaborating with: 

• Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences  
• Leiden University of Applied Sciences  
• Inholland University of Applied Sciences  
• TU Delft  
• Erasmus University Rotterdam  
• ROC Mondrian  
• ROC Rijnland  
• ZWconnect  
• Municipality of The Hague  

Funding 

The programme is funded by Medical Delta. 

More information 

More information about the research programme is available on the Medical Delta website, in both Dutch and English. 

Contact 

Luc de Witte ([email protected])