Express to connect – preventing loneliness and enriching the lives of the elderly

The Express to Connect project addresses the European-wide challenge of ageing. It is estimated that by 2050, the number of people over 80 will double in Europe. Being old increases the risk of becoming lonely and isolated. Express to Connect will address this large but hidden problem by launching a new innovative service that encourages elderly people to capture and share their memories.

Researches show that recollection increases the mental health of senior citizens, empowering them and enriching their lives. Express to Connect aims to boost remembrance with a European-wide web-based service developed especially for this purpose. The service helps elderly to capture their personal history, memories and stories - and share them with others. As a result, they are able to interact with each other and family members more easily. This eases any possible social isolation and increases general mental wellbeing.

Growing old in many cases makes individuals lose control of their everyday lives and daily activities, makes them inactive and makes them socially isolated. This can have severe consequences such as depression and an increased risk of dementia. An inactive and socially isolated life has serious negative consequences for both the elderly and the rising costs associated with health care in society.

The upcoming service is based on a proven concept - the Storytable service developed by Waag Society in the Netherlands. This service currently enhances the lives of thousands of elderly people living in Dutch retirement and residential homes. Express to Connect will build on the proven success of Storytable and create a web-based service that elderly people are able to use at home as part of their everyday lives.

Service designed together with users

One of the key ideas in the Express to Connect consortium is that the creation of a truly valuable service has to be done together with the elderly themselves. A group of senior citizens is strongly involved in conceptualising, developing and testing the service.

The work has started with workshops in Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Halmstad and Helsinki. The workshops have provided the basis for the service, which will be available as a prototype in mid-2011. During 2011 and 2012, elderly people will have the opportunity to test the service as part of their everyday lives.

International co-operation

Express to Connect is co-funded by the European Ambient Assisted Living Joint Programme. The programme aims to enhance senior citizens’ quality of life and strengthen the industrial base in Europe. This is done by using information and communication technologies.

Express to Connect has partners in the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden and Denmark. The consortium includes both companies and research institutions: Copenhagen Living Lab, Waag Society, Substanz, Heutink, Verhalentafel BV, Halmstad University, Halmstad municipality, Forum Virium Helsinki, and Laurea University of Applied Sciences.

More information:

Thomas Hammer-Jakobsen, Copenhagen Living Lab
+45 20 23 22 05
hamm@copenhagenlivinglab.com