Exercise and technology for safety and health in old age: A Societally Motivated Research Platform (SMRP) Magnus Lindwall, PhD., Centre of Sport and Health.

Exercise and technology for safety Exercise and technology for safety and health in old age: and health in old age:

A Societally Motivated Research A Societally Motivated Research Platform (SMRP)Platform (SMRP)

Magnus Lindwall, PhD., Centre of Sport and Health Research, Halmstad Magnus Lindwall, PhD., Centre of Sport and Health Research, Halmstad UniversityUniversity

Liselotte Rooke,Liselotte Rooke, PhD, Assoc Prof., SydsamPhD, Assoc Prof., SydsamSwedenSweden

Regional policy responses to demographic changes conferenceBrussels 25 January 2007

Getting oldGetting old……

.…or just getting

better?

Maintaining/improving quality of Maintaining/improving quality of life and health for the increasing life and health for the increasing population of elderly in Europe a population of elderly in Europe a major challenge (i.e. the major challenge (i.e. the demographic challenge) for Europe demographic challenge) for Europe in the pursuit of the Lisbon agenda.in the pursuit of the Lisbon agenda.

The dissemination and/or use of The dissemination and/or use of research results by practitioners is research results by practitioners is often poor. A gap existing between often poor. A gap existing between theory and practice; research and theory and practice; research and applied work. applied work.

Two problemsTwo problems

For more info on SMRP: http.//www.sydsam.se/english/SMRP.asp

One solution?One solution?Societally Motivated Research Plaforms Societally Motivated Research Plaforms

(SMRP)(SMRP)

SMRP

Public stakeholders

Interdisciplinary research

New kind of dissemination -putting research in practice

Added value for Europe

Transnational

Long-term commitment

Major societal challenges

• Societal problems need to be transformed to research problems by researchers and public stakeholders together!

• Public stakeholders take responsibility for the dissemination and use of the research results in practice!

Public stakeholders and the research process: A two-way street! How can we improve

health, safety and quality of life for 60+?

A SMRP on exercise and technology for elderly:

The Halmstad example

Regional Development Council, Halland

Health Promotion CompaniesSydsam South Sweden

Centre of Sport and Health Research,

Halmstad UniversityMunicipality Home

Care Sevices The Health Care Technology

Alliance

Creating the SMRP…Creating the SMRP… Research on exercise and mental health for Research on exercise and mental health for

elderly (e.g., Lindwall et al., 2007)elderly (e.g., Lindwall et al., 2007)

Getting involved in existing networks- listen Getting involved in existing networks- listen to needs of practitioners. Identifying key to needs of practitioners. Identifying key areasareas

Joint RCT pilot-research project with a health Joint RCT pilot-research project with a health companycompany

Public dissemination of results - gettingPublic dissemination of results - getting stakeholders involvedstakeholders involved

ConferenceConference

Evaluation- next projectEvaluation- next project

The Båstad-model: The Båstad-model: From research to action!From research to action!

The aim is to increase quality of life and health for The aim is to increase quality of life and health for elderly people (+60) and to reduce public health care elderly people (+60) and to reduce public health care costs. costs.

Joint collaboration between municipality, community, Joint collaboration between municipality, community, region, university, companies and private persons.region, university, companies and private persons.

Scientifically grounded program based on: Scientifically grounded program based on: (a) preventive health care; (a) preventive health care; (b) relief of pain and other health problems; (b) relief of pain and other health problems; (c) quick rehabilitation; (c) quick rehabilitation; (d) social activities; (d) social activities; (e) mental skills training(e) mental skills training

Continuous scientific evaluation designed as research Continuous scientific evaluation designed as research projects projects

Investment today results in long-term profit tomorrow!Investment today results in long-term profit tomorrow!

Conclusions and the futureConclusions and the future

SMRP is a way forward for public SMRP is a way forward for public stakeholders in Europe to handle stakeholders in Europe to handle societal challenges, form strategic societal challenges, form strategic knowledge-based research knowledge-based research agendas, and to learn from each agendas, and to learn from each other together with researchers!other together with researchers!

The Commission will now in FP7 The Commission will now in FP7 launch Social Platform (a concept launch Social Platform (a concept closely related to SMRP)closely related to SMRP)

Collaboration across countriesCollaboration across countries

Europe is on the move....who Europe is on the move....who wants to join in?wants to join in?

THANKS FOR YOUR THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION!ATTENTION!

[email protected]@skane.se

Questions?