The recent concepts developed in order to meet the specific technology-related needs of older people are “Ambient Intelligence” and "Ambient Assisted Living". The major aim of AmI is to prolong the time older people can live decently in their own homes with an increased autonomy and self-confidence. One category of patients that would necessarily require intelligent ambient assistance devices in the future is the old one, characterized by a high incidence of co-morbid conditions and diseases, cognitive and/or physical impairment, functional loss from multiple disabilities, leading to impaired self-dependency. US and EU law and research programs are concerned to support the research, development and implementation of such devices able to reduce the social burden and to improve the geriatric healthcare systems.