NetwellCASALA
Population ageing is wrought with challenges, but it also offers many opportunities - at NetwellCASALA, their multidisciplinary research and development activities are focused on developing more integrated community-oriented services, more sustainable home and neighbourhood design, and more age-friendly technologies.
Working closely with their business partners, members of the community, health services, local and national government, other academic establishments and ageing affiliated agencies, they are actively translating ideas into practical solutions that improve the lives of older people and those who care for them, whilst also creating new business opportunities and informing public policies.
NetwellCASALA is a joint venture between Dundalk Institute of Technology, the Health Service Executive of Ireland, and Louth County Council. They have established links with a global network of stakeholders, placing us at the forefront of understanding of ageing and age-friendliness. Their knowledge, insight and experience have enabled them to be highly influential in the development of collaborative stakeholder engagements, including: the Great Northen Haven development, the Age Friendly Ireland Initiative, and the establishment of Cúltaca or service brokers who work independently and directly with older people. They also work with industry to achieve product innovation, business competitiveness, and market leadership in the emerging ambient assisted living (AAL) sector.
Their activities involve an array of disciplines including the social and behavioural sciences, health and medical sciences, computer science, engineering, design, marketing and business administration. They work across the three inter-related and mutually reinforcing strands of communities, environment and technologies. They are in a unique position of being able to provide their partners with a complete concept-to-trial, product and service development environment through the NetwellCASALA Living Lab.