An effectiveness and cost-estimation model for deploying assistive technology solutions in elderly care.

Deployment of modern assistive technologies is one of the major trends. The main objective is the provisioning of the effectiveness and cost-estimation model for deploying assistive technology solutions in elderly care intended for evaluation and showing specificity to the costs and associated benefits of providing smart technological solutions for seniors. The model uses demographic projections taken from Eurostat for EU countries and the disability incidence from the annual report of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Czech Republic as an input. The model was implemented in the software Stella Professional dedicated to system dynamics modelling. In relation to the combination of five assistive devices for the elderly the optimal solution the cost savings are 37.8% or182 billion CZK, cumulatively in the simulated time period 2021–2060. The model allows adjustments regarding price levels of various countries through the caregivers' wage. Obtained results showed robustness of the model to this uncertainty as percentage savings varied only from 37.6% to 39.8%, a mere 2.2% difference. With respect to the ongoing demographic transition, the need to employ smart device solutions should further increase and their price could decline. The highest savings will come from countries with higher wages for carers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]