Diabetes mellitus is the most common illness in the Netherlands. At this moment close to one million people in the Netherlands suffer from diabetes and this number is growing steadily. An ageing population is one cause, but more and more young people and children develop diabetes as well. An active and healthy lifestyle (plenty of exercise and a balanced diet) is one of the best ways to reduce the consequences of the illness or even to prevent diabetes. For many people this would mean a number of extra healthy years added to their lives, and therefore to their quality of life. Moreover it would mean a considerable reduction in healthcare costs. Certainly if an improvement of lifestyle would be combined with increased self-direction for the patient.
The innovation lab ‘Active Ageing Diabetes’ is aimed at questions such as: how can we encourage people with (pre)diabetes to embrace a healthy lifestyle and implement this in a sustainable way? How can we realize a wide choice of connective, user-friendly (technological) products and services for self-monitoring which is stimulating?
One of the researchers that participates in this living lab is Thea Kooiman. She is a PhD researcher of Hanze UAS who focuses on the QS component within this living lab. One of the things she is looking at is whether devices impact physical activity behavior and health in people who have overweight/obesity or diabetes type 2.
Project / activities
- Developing improved eHealth products, based on requirements from the market (digital platform, smartphone/tablet applications, pedometer, accelerometers and possible other wearable technologies) which are linked to the needs of people with diabetes (elderly people as well) and professionals. In collaboration with Tizin, Target Holding and e-Vitality.
- Developing methods for validating existing eHealth products and developing new validated eHealth products, based on the expertise and objectives of the Quantified Self Institute.
- Developing new and more effective lifestyle interventions made-to-measure for people with diabetes.
- Developing integral toolkits (services) for professionals in care & wellbeing. Included in this are linked lifestyle interventions for diet and an active lifestyle, partly linked to new technology: a digital environment which stimulates the user to achieve a healthy lifestyle and to maintain this.
