Zorgdomotica

Zorgdomotica is the application of domotics—home automation and smart devices—in health and social care settings to support daily living, safety, and monitoring of individuals who require assistance. It encompasses hardware such as sensors, cameras, wearables, actuators, and communication networks, together with software platforms that collect, process, and present data to care professionals, informal carers, and users themselves. It can be implemented in private homes, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes, often as part of a broader care management system.

Common applications include fall detection, 24/7 remote monitoring, medication reminders and dispensing, environmental control (lighting, heating, ventilation), door and access control, and telecare services. Wearables and in-home sensors can monitor vital signs, activity patterns, and detect unusual behavior, triggering alerts to caregivers. Robotic assistance and voice-assistant interfaces may support activities of daily living.

Benefits cited include enhanced safety and independence for users, improved ability for care teams to respond quickly, and potential reductions in hospital admissions and caregiver burden. Adoption faces challenges such as privacy and data security concerns, interoperability among devices and health records, cost, and the need for user-friendly designs and digital literacy.

Regulatory and ethical considerations emphasize consent, data protection (in many regions GDPR-like frameworks), safety certifications, and standards for interoperability. Ongoing research focuses on AI-assisted monitoring, interoperable platforms, and integrating zorgdomotica with broader health and social care systems.