17. 07. 2025
Author: Nela Kadlečíková
Home is home in the Vaňkovka Gallery: when technology meets human stories and the real need for help
They didn't come to "check something out". They came with a story. With a specific need. With questions that were often hard to articulate.
"I don't know where to turn."
"My mom is still independent, but I'm afraid she'll fall one day and I won't be there."
"I thought I could handle the care. But I can't anymore."
From July 1 to 15, 2025, we opened the doors to the assisted living room at the Vaňkovka Gallery, but above all, a space for open and often very personal discussions. The aim was not just to present technology, but to listen to people and understand their real needs.
An ageing population, ill health, or sudden life changes. All of these can mean that the normal home environment becomes a place of uncertainty or risk. Home is Home, therefore, focuses on enabling people to remain in their environment for as long as possible, safely and with dignity, even when health limitations come. Modern technology can be part of the solution, making everyday functioning easier, protecting health, and increasing self-sufficiency. But technology alone is not enough. They need to be combined with counselling, support, and an overall understanding of the situation of individuals and caring families.
In the assisted living room, visitors discovered a wide range of modern technologies that greatly enhance the safety, independence, and comfort of seniors and people with disabilities right in their own homes. Visitors were able to experience firsthand how panic buttons, smartwatches, and bracelets with health monitoring functions, fall detectors, and home monitoring systems work. Visitors also had a great experience with virtual reality, where they could experience the daily challenges experienced by people with health limitations or seniors. At the same time, they recognized how technology can simplify these situations and enhance the quality of life.
We also introduced telemedicine, a solution that enables remote consultations with a doctor, as well as applications for clear monitoring of health status or a quick call for assistance. Together with our partners, we made everything easy to understand, with an emphasis on concrete advice on how to easily integrate technology into everyday life.
A big thank you to all the partners who made it possible for us to show these devices to the public and bring to light possibilities that many are not yet familiar with. We would like to thank:
Chytrá Péče, Zdravotní a sociální služby, s.r.o., MDT - International Telemedicine Centre, Girasole z. s. Hustopeče, Záchranka App, Kaleido, Anděl Strážný, z. ú., MULTITONE CZ, Icontio SensCare, and Diocesan Charity Brno.
Thanks to you, we could show that technology can be a real help and not another barrier.
However, it does not end with the assistive room. From 21 to 31 July, we are returning to Vaňkovka with a follow-up exhibition that will present not only the technologies themselves, but also specific stories, suggestions from visitors, and the future direction of the project.
Our goal is:
- to spread awareness of assistive technologies and support options
- to connect professionals, care providers, and the public
- to show that caring for others can make a difference when you are not on your own
The At Home is At Home project is not just about technology. It's about humanity, support, and the courage to talk about the hard stuff. If you've been with us, thank you so much. And if you have yet to do so, we look forward to seeing you.