A Business Model for Digital Healthcare Environments: An Organic Approach and a Use Case for Handling Cognitive Impairment

Ageing has significant impacts on the organization of healthcare systems and on social inclusion-especially for elderly people affected by Cognitive Impairment (CI). These people are significantly exposed to undeniable risks that can affect their health and wellbeing (falling, malnutrition, hygiene issues, etc.) especially when living alone. This paper defines a Business Model (BM) allowing independent living for elderly people affected by CI. This BM include: (i) an up-to-date, modular, flexible and scalable organizational model describing the activities to be accomplished by regulators and service suppliers; and (ii) a digital platform based on innovative and easy-to-replicate information and communication technologies. The organic approach to the development of the BM is then focused in an Italian use case as a part of "DECI", a "Horizon 2020" project with four pilot projects in Israel, Italy, Spain and Sweden.