Ayesa launches a pilot project to offer predictive remote care for the elderly

In collaboration with Ilunion Vida Senior, the company will implement a series of innovative solutions as part of a new service model based on personalised care and designed to help the elderly maintain their independence at home. Once tests have been completed, the solutions will be integrated on a single platform.

Ayesa, a global provider of technology and engineering services, has partnered up with Ilunion Vida Senior to develop a comprehensive solution based on a predictive rather than reactive model for remote home care. The ultimate aim is to offer support fully adapted to each individual. The company is currently undertaking pilot tests on the various solutions proposed and, in the event of them being implemented, will also be responsible for maintenance. This involves 100 users of the BetiOn remote care service in Oarsoaldea (Gipuzkoa).

The project is funded by the Basque Regional Government and Fundación Adinberri. The latter is responsible for establishing the strategy of the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council, the aim of which is to make the province’s Healthy Ageing service (part of the local care initiative Zaintza Herrilab) as innovative as possible.

As part of the project, Ayesa is working with a diverse group of Basque start-ups and large companies to identify innovative solutions for this connected ecosystem, which aims to help elderly individuals who are particularly vulnerable remain independent at home by providing them with predictive remote care. The initiative also involves the analysis of advanced data using AI. This will allow new risk prediction models to be developed for areas such as health and independent living.

Xabier Eroa, Director of Health at Ayesa, explains: ‘A predictive model will ultimately allow us to anticipate needs and respond to them with a personalised care plan based on the four Ps: prediction, prevention, personalisation and participation’. This involves providing long-term support to those suffering from cognitive decline or loneliness, as well as any individual who needs help living independently.

‘To respond to this challenge, the technology chosen for the project centres around four main areas: speech processing; sensors based on the Internet of Things (IoT); advanced analytics, AI and big data; and interoperability and standardisation’, adds Xabier.

The solution aims to provide comprehensive home care tailored to individual needs. To do this, a big-data platform is being developed, which will allow data on users to be effectively captured through devices installed at their homes. The technology will also recognise patterns in the speech of users to enable timely action to be taken.

‘The goal is to test and pilot technological solutions able to anticipate the needs of users and provide them with the appropriate assistance, as well as incorporate them into the services offered by BetiOn in the near future’, notes Ayesa’s Director of Health.

This will allow personalised remote care to be offered to users, which is fully integrated with existing local care services. Advanced analytics tools will also be developed to drive smarter decision-making.

The estimated duration of the contract is 18 months, although it may be extended for a further two years. Six of these will be spent designing and developing the predictive remote care platform, and twelve on pilot testing.

Valued at EUR 71 million, its aim is to provide the necessary care and assistance to around 80,000 elderly individuals in their homes. Work began in August and has seen Ilunion Vida Senior and Ayesa (as part of a joint venture) work closely with the Basque Country’s remote care service BetiOn.