final impact report and assessment

Real-world impact of AAL innovation

5th impact assessment - final report

The 5th edition of the AAL Programme Impact Assessment (Final Report 2026) offers a compelling, evidence-based insight into how the innovations made possible by AAL are now helping to reshape ageing in Europe.

The report highlights the outcomes of the Active and Assisted Living (AAL) Programme’s final funding phase (2018–2021) and explores how digital solutions are transforming care and quality of life for older adults.

Based on quantitative and qualitative research, including insights from 52 projects, 89 survey responses, and 15 in-depth case studies, the assessment provides a valuable understanding of how AAL-funded solutions are delivering real impact at both individual and systemic levels.

From breakthrough solutions to systemic transformation, this report reveals how one of Europe’s most pressing demographic challenges can be addressed with innovative solutions and what is needed now to scale these solutions in the years ahead.

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Mental and social well-being

Mental and social well-being

67%

of respondents with an AAL product on the market report that older adults using their product maintain better mental health and participate in social activities with their networks for at least an additional year.

56%

observe that users remain in better physical condition and independently interact with their social networks for at least a year.

Increased market reach and access to solutions

4,268

Adoption of AAL products within care systems is a medium-term objective, aimed at providing broader access to these solutions across Europe. In 2023, the average number of end-users per solution doubled (4,268) from 2021 (1,855).

238

The number of paying customers dropped to 238 from 771 in 2021, primarily due to a rise in care organisations as indirect paying customers, leading to broader end-user access.

Enhanced adoption through user-centred development

A user-centred approach, central to the AAL Programme, significantly increases product adoption (82%) and relevance (88%), aligning closely with 2021 findings (74% for adoption and 85% for relevance).

Key lessons from AAL projects include user-testing and need adaptation (75%), raising awareness among end-users (46%), and enhancing user acceptance (41%).

Awareness of active ageing solutions and user engagement

84%

of respondents believe the AAL Programme raises awareness of active ageing solutions among older adults and their networks, slightly down from 91% in 2021.

73%

Support actions, such as AAL2Business, reinforce user-involvement skills, with 70% reporting improved capabilities in user engagement and 73% in identifying user needs.

AAL Success stories - past projects

The report “Beyond the Project Lifetime – Long-Term Pathways of Innovation in the AAL Programme” provides fascinating insight into what happens after AAL funding ends. Looking beyond the projects’ immediate outputs, it traces the impact of selected AAL “success stories” over time, revealing how ideas evolve, scale, stall, or transform long after the project lifecycle ends.

The report explores seven pioneering projects across the AAL ecosystem, with the case studies supported by expert interviews. examining how early-stage innovations translate into lasting societal, technological and economic value.

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Mental and social well-being

Mental and social well-being

67%

of respondents with an AAL product on the market report that older adults using their product maintain better mental health and participate in social activities with their networks for at least an additional year.

56%

observe that users remain in better physical condition and independently interact with their social networks for at least a year.

Increased market reach and access to solutions

4,268

Adoption of AAL products within care systems is a medium-term objective, aimed at providing broader access to these solutions across Europe. In 2023, the average number of end-users per solution doubled (4,268) from 2021 (1,855).

238

The number of paying customers dropped to 238 from 771 in 2021, primarily due to a rise in care organisations as indirect paying customers, leading to broader end-user access.

Enhanced adoption through user-centred development

A user-centred approach, central to the AAL Programme, significantly increases product adoption (82%) and relevance (88%), aligning closely with 2021 findings (74% for adoption and 85% for relevance).

Key lessons from AAL projects include user-testing and need adaptation (75%), raising awareness among end-users (46%), and enhancing user acceptance (41%).

Awareness of active ageing solutions and user engagement

84%

of respondents believe the AAL Programme raises awareness of active ageing solutions among older adults and their networks, slightly down from 91% in 2021.

73%

Support actions, such as AAL2Business, reinforce user-involvement skills, with 70% reporting improved capabilities in user engagement and 73% in identifying user needs.

AAL Success stories - new projects

The “AAL Success Stories 2026 – 15 Innovations Creating Real Impact” report also showcases the latest wave of innovation to have emerged from the Active and Assisted Living (AAL) Programme. Bringing together a diverse portfolio of recently completed AAL projects, it highlights the solutions now being used in everyday life, empowering older adults to live more independently, while also supporting caregivers through practical, user-centred support.

Through 15 in-depth case studies, the report captures the wide-ranging nature AAL innovation, from digital health tools and AI-driven monitoring systems to assistive devices and social robotics. Each story offers a real-world perspective on how ideas evolve into practical solutions, shaped by user needs, partnerships and the commercial realities of implementation.

More Info
Mental and social well-being

Mental and social well-being

67%

of respondents with an AAL product on the market report that older adults using their product maintain better mental health and participate in social activities with their networks for at least an additional year.

56%

observe that users remain in better physical condition and independently interact with their social networks for at least a year.

Increased market reach and access to solutions

4,268

Adoption of AAL products within care systems is a medium-term objective, aimed at providing broader access to these solutions across Europe. In 2023, the average number of end-users per solution doubled (4,268) from 2021 (1,855).

238

The number of paying customers dropped to 238 from 771 in 2021, primarily due to a rise in care organisations as indirect paying customers, leading to broader end-user access.

Enhanced adoption through user-centred development

A user-centred approach, central to the AAL Programme, significantly increases product adoption (82%) and relevance (88%), aligning closely with 2021 findings (74% for adoption and 85% for relevance).

Key lessons from AAL projects include user-testing and need adaptation (75%), raising awareness among end-users (46%), and enhancing user acceptance (41%).

Awareness of active ageing solutions and user engagement

84%

of respondents believe the AAL Programme raises awareness of active ageing solutions among older adults and their networks, slightly down from 91% in 2021.

73%

Support actions, such as AAL2Business, reinforce user-involvement skills, with 70% reporting improved capabilities in user engagement and 73% in identifying user needs.

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