LUSAGE A living-‐lab for g erontechnology
LUSAGE is a living-‐lab, located in Paris (France), specialized in the design, development, and assessment of technology-‐based products and services for older adults. Our main objective is to promote the use of effective and ethical technology-‐based solutions aimed at improving the autonomy and quality of life of older adults, particularly those living with cognitive impairment (Alzheimer’s disease and related diseases), and to support their informal and formal caregivers. As a living-‐lab we encourage user-‐centered design approaches and experimentation in real-‐life environments. We firmly believe that effective solutions to support healthcare and social inclusion in the context of an aging population can only be created in the collaboration with end-‐users and all other stakeholders.
Affiliation • •
Assistance-‐Publique-‐Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP), Hospital Group “Cochin-‐Broca-‐Hôtel-‐Dieu” University Paris Descartes, Research Unit EA 4468.
Scope -‐ Gerontechnology and assistive technologies for older adults (e.g. remote health monitoring systems, context-‐aware applications, social assistive robotics). -‐ User-‐research: We have adapted the traditional methods of human-‐computer interaction research to work effectively with elderly with cognitive impairment. -‐ User-‐centered design: In our projects end-‐users are involved throughout the entire product development lifecycle. -‐ Clinical expertise in the fields of aging, frailty, and cognition. -‐ Social expertise in technology acceptance by older adults. -‐ Ethical analysis of the questions surrounding the use of assistive technologies to support older adults with cognitive impairment and their caregivers.
User-‐test with Kompaï the robot (Robosoft)
End-‐users groups • Healthy older adults • Individuals living with chronic diseases or neurodegenerative conditions (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias), • Informal caregivers • Healthcare professionals.
Focus-‐group with end-‐users
Activities We have the expertise and resources to participate as partner or coordinator of national and international collaborative projects focused on prototyping, co-‐creation and validation of innovative healthcare solutions. Our activities cover the entire product development lifecycle including: • End-‐users recruitment: The number of older adults consulting in our health and social care network is more than 8000 per year, making of LUSAGE an attractive partner for companies that develop healthcare technological applications and services. • Users’ needs assessment • Usability testing at the lab or in real-‐world settings (hospital, home, public places)
• Ethical analysis • Follow-‐up studies in the field after the release of the product.
Funders National level: Agence Nationale de le Recherche (ANR), CNSA, Programme Hospitalier de la Recherche Clinique (regional et national), Foundation Plan Alzheimer, France Alzheimer Association, Foundation Médéric Alzheimer, Foundation de France, Région Ile de France. International level: European Commission (Seventh Framework Program (FP7), Ambient Assisted living Joint Program (AAL).
Facilities and infrastructure Physical environment: Our laboratory has a flexible and modular architecture that can be easily adapted to each project’s objectives, to recreate a home-‐like or a formal healthcare setting. Convenient location: LUSAGE is located in the center of Paris and can be easily reached by public transportation (metro, bus, and car).
Contact LUSAGE, Hôpital Broca 54-‐56 rue Pascal, 75013, Paris, France, Tel +33 1 44 08 33 60 lab.lusage@brc.aphp.fr