As the demand in the provision of healthcare continues to change and the ageing population grows, this month the Midlands is the location for a conference that will showcase the latest in assistive digital technologies that are specifically designed for use in the home and community.

The 'Digital Technologies for home based healthcare' conference, organised by MedilinkWM, which develops networks for medical and healthcare companies in the region, will bring together experts from industry and health to provide information and updates on the very latest innovations and opportunities for digital home based healthcare.

Keynote speaker is Rob Chesters, Manager of MedilinkWM's dedicated assisted living division, Alvolution, who explains: "Estimates indicate that in the UK, the number of people aged 65 or over will rise from 9.3 million to 16.8 million over the next fifty years. According to the Department for Health, there are currently just over 15 million people living with chronic conditions, but by 2030 this is expected to more than double in the over 65s.

"This conference will showcase the very latest digital technologies for the assisted living market, and provide a forum to discuss how to shape the creation of assistive technologies in the home and community as the UK ageing population grows."

For any Midlands company working in the areas of assisted living, electronics, wireless healthcare and mobile data, digital communications, sensors and instrumentation, the event will provide an invaluable insight into today's assistive technologies market, and examine the real market opportunities for local businesses for new product development, collaboration and partnership opportunities.

Mike Rielly, Director of Healthcare at Orange will highlight the company's approach to the assistive living market and report on how it is turning to local SMEs for innovation. Jim Ellam Assistive Technology Project Lead at Staffordshire County Council will focus on the real rate of adoption of digital technologies in the West Midlands. The Conference includes workshop sessions run by representatives from leading suppliers to the assisted living market, including Electronics KTN, Cambridge Wireless and Mobile Data Association.

MedilinkWM developed and runs the Alvolution Assisted Living Demonstrator house - previously known as the i-House - in West Bromwich which in its adapted living space, brings together and showcases technology, sustainability and healthcare, developed and manufactured in the West Midlands. The demonstrator house is considered unique in the UK, as it is a truly independent, unbiased unit that is representative of real-life situations and presents end users the opportunity to see exactly how the very latest and best in electronic and digital healthcare products work in-situ. Currently it features products from many of the region's leading manufacturers of assisted living products, including Minivator, Sero Solutions, Halliday James and Technik2.

"The demonstrator house illustrates the potential for integrated building intelligence support care in the home," comments Rob Chesters. "We are committed to developing a focus for products that mean the elderly and individuals living with chronic illnesses can remain in their own home, something we know is of great importance based on a YouGov survey commissioned by MedilinkWM, which revealed that 87 percent of people want to remain in their home after retirement, and less than 1 percent want to live in a care home."

The Conference takes place on Wednesday 24th February 2010 at The Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire. For more information or to register for this free event, email: Lucy@applied-eventology.co.uk,