Supporting family carers through the use of information and communication technology--the EU project ACTION

Assisting Carers Using Telematics Interventions to meet Older persons' Needs (ACTION) is an EU project designed to improve the quality of life of frail older and disabled people and their family carers by the use of information and communication technology. It involved Sweden, England, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Portugal. This article provides an overview of the research and development process of the ACTION system and services. The focus is upon the evaluation results with regard to the quality of life of older people and their family carers, the usability of ACTION and cost considerations. Recommendations are made regarding user-focused technology such as ACTION.