VETAAL is presented at IAGG-ER 8th Congress in Dublin

The 8th European Region Congress of the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics (IAGG) took place in Dublin, Ireland. Justyna Zgud, colleague of the VETAAL team at the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Vienna, successfully presented the VETAAL project at the Congress.

Throughout the congress a future trend of involving elderly in the AAL research and projects was visible. The curriculum module "Psychology and Needs of the Elderly and Disabled" of the VETAAL project rises awareness for experts in designing and manufacturing of AAL integrated furniture to not only understand, but as well to involve elderly in the designing process. In discussions of oral (PhD Oskar Jonnson, Sweden: "Experiences of user-centered approach on relations between ageing people and furniture in the home environment.") and poster presentations (Dr. P.J. White, Ireland: "Design Requirements in Domestic Cooking and Heating Products for Older People.") the VETAAL project was introduced and interest was found especially by designers of furniture.

The need for knowledge in designing AAL furniture, such as armchairs with sensors and health monitoring, shows the importance of the VETAAL project and its development of a training path for European furniture experts in designing and manufacturing of AAL integrated furniture for the care and support of elderly and disabled people. Possible future trends were discussed as well, such as the modification of furniture in the environment of elderly due to possible barriers of investments in new furniture and preservation of environmental habits.

Copies of the VETAAL poster were provided in form of handouts.