Assisted living technologies and the consumer market: how is it developing?

A three-year research study, funded by Innovate UK, Consumer Models for Assisted Living (COMODAL) aimed to support the development of the consumer market for electronic assisted living technology (eALT) products and services, particularly for people aged 50-70, approaching older age and retirement themselves or with caring responsibilities for family or friends. The purpose of the COMODAL study was to gain a greater understanding of their needs and behaviours relating to the acquisition of eALT and develop sustainable consumer-led business models that might address these needs and support business development within a consumer market (Ward et al., 2016). The purpose of this paper is to present a follow up study to explore how the market may have changed since the publication of the research findings.

An online survey was used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data from individuals working in the supply and distribution of assisted living technologies in the UK regarding how their businesses had developed in the past two years.

The results showed that since the publication of the COMODAL research there have been changes in the way that the consumer market for eALT is being approached, not only with more direct marketing focused on consumer’s needs but also in direct partnerships with local authorities that offer greater choice with an improved range of products.

This is the first paper in the UK to follow up the impact of the original COMODAL research and explore its influence on the development of the consumer market for eALT.