Improving the quality of life for the disabled and elderly is a pressing issue for today s European societies, as Europe, and industrialized countries worldwide, are confronted with a demographic shift. Researchers are looking toward Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) as the solution to this problem. Wireless Technologies for Ambient Assisted Living and Healthcare: Systems and Applications provides a compendium of terms, definitions, and explanations of concepts and processes within the area of AAL. It focuses on innovative wireless solutions for smart home environments, which will positively contribute to independent living and quality of life for disabled and elderly individuals, as they rely less on caretakers and more on technology. Other topics include information and communication technologies related to health, new developments in distributed applications and interoperable systems, applications and services, wireless technologies and architectures for health monitoring systems, and wireless communication and sensor networks in smart living space.

Recent developments in e-health have enhanced the healthcare industry as well as expanded the role of medical informatics. These emerging innovations have not only given patients the opportunity for quality of life improvement, but also opened the door to health communication exploration. The Handbook of Research on Distributed Medical Informatics and E-Health provides comprehensive coverage of the most important issues, concepts, new trends, and advanced technologies in healthcare. This enhanced resource of over 35 articles from 84 international experts contributes a compendium of terms, definitions, and explanations for academicians and health professionals worldwide.