Proposal: Adapted Physical Activity and Awareness Training to Improve Health in Alzheimer’s Patients and Their Entourage
Proposed Implementation: 2024 to 2026
Call: EU4H-2023-PJ – EU4H Action Grants 2023
Topic: EU4H-2023-PJ-04
Type of Action: EU4H-PJG – EU4H Project Grants
Proposed Budget: 596 289,60€
Keywords: Alzheimer, Physical Activity Practices, Physical Activity, Health, Inequality
Objective: Dementia is one of the most significant public health concerns in the European Union with around 10 million people living with this condition. The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease is expected to double in the next 30 years with the increase in the aging population. As a consequence, a part of the population will risk becoming dependent on carers and specific socio-medical services.
As a result, this will increase health costs for the EU. The project’s overall objective is to contribute to prevent dependency, thus reducing the expenditure of the European healthcare system on Alzheimer disease and other neurological cognitive impairments by providing to patients who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer and/or dementia with adapted physical activity practices to help slow down the progress of the disease and manage their symptoms.
To achieve these objectives, actions will focus on people who have been diagnosed with dementia at a pre-symptomatic early stage and with MCI-minor cognitive impairment. First, this will be achieved through a person-centered physical activity programme with the support of functional ability training and guidelines for a healthier lifestyle. It will support 500 patients by means of 50 person-centered physical activity sessions over the course of one year across 3 European countries.
Second, the project aims to raise awareness on physical activity as a tool to manage neurological diseases and as a tool to prevent the progression of cognitive impairment symptoms (such as memory loss, problems communicating etc.) and to create an integrated care model for dementia patients with a 3-staged approach 1st test, 2nd evaluate and 3rd implement. The project will provide a sustainable model by constant evaluation process and sharing the results across the European member states.
Third, an online “Train the Trainer” programme will provide a foundation for further upskilling of health care practitioners, physical activity trainers and caregivers.
Partners:
- Fundacion Siel Bleu España
- Health Citizens – European Institute
- Siel Bleu Ireland
- Sport Initiative et Loisir Bleu Association
- Alzheimer Catalunya Fundació