Sensory Gymnastic for the Elderly: program for the maintenance of sensory capacities in the elderly Erasmus Project

Project Title

Sensory Gymnastic for the Elderly: program for the maintenance of sensory capacities in the elderly

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for adult education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2014

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Disabilities – special needs; Health and wellbeing

Project Summary

• Context background of the project
During lifetime, human body experiences several changes at the physiological and psychological levels, including a gradual loss of sensory capabilities. These involve mainly sight and hearing, although the senses of smell and taste are also affected during aging. These factors induce changes in food processing, diet and lifestyle. When the perception for food and taste preferences is altered, the sense of satisfaction in eating is affected. Overall, health problems arise in the aging population due to an inadequate diet, induced partly by the loss of taste and perception. This process can increase, among other things, the risk of acquiring many age-related diseases, such as dementia, functional deterioration (dysphagia, xerostomia, and digestion problems) and decreased immune response.

• Objectives
GYMSEN is a training project in which the main objective is focused on maintaining the sensory abilities of the elderly in order to improve their wellbeing and quality of life.

• Number and profile of participating organisations
UMH (University Miguel Hernandez-Spain) is the leader organisation. UMH possesses high competence in the innovative program for elderly people with the unique project of the “University of Experience”, which has been one of the scenarios included in the project.
SP (formerly SIK) (Sveriges Tekniska Forskningsinstitut-Sweden) has experience in sensory research. The Nordic Taste and Flavour Centre is being established at SP.
AINIA is a Technological Centre and Training provider, as well as a Food&Drink SME association.
ANS (Anziani e Non Solo-Italy) has competences in activities aiming to promote active-ageing, inter-generational activities and well-being.
AAADRD (Athens Association of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders-Greece) runs 4 dementia day care centres in Athens.
ERA (European Development Agency-Czech Republic) has competences into the partnership key experience with social innovation and active ageing.

• Description of undertaken main activities
Activity 1: Management and Quality. This included all the activities aimed to set the minimum quality level required to successfully carry out the project.
Activity 2: Research concerning the Training Needs Analysis (TNA).
In order to create materials useful for designing the course for the target groups: Documentation and data questionnaire.
Activity 3: Development of the training program and materials.
Activity 4: Planning and performance of the pilot for the training program, testing and impact analysis.
Activity 5: Dissemination and exploitation. The Dissemination Plan includes objectives, tools used for dissemination, corporate image rules, procedures and responsibilities of partners. A project website (www.gymsen.eu) has been created.

• Results and impact attained
The main result is: A course of sensory gymnastics for the elderly.
The output consists of a common course on sensory gymnastics for elderly with specific parts adapted to the particular end users. We have considered 2 main profiles according to the analysis performed with the validation tools at the end of the pilots: elders with normal olfaction and taste (intellectually active, intellectually inactive and some institutionalized elders) and elders with alterations in olfaction and taste (some institutionalized and all Alzheimer’s elders).

The impact analysis was determined in each group by focusing in two key aspects: improvements in the sensory function and in the nutritional status. They were evaluated according the scores obtained from the OCT (Olfactory Capability Test) and MNA® (Mini-Nutritional Assessment) tests respectively at the beginning and at the end of the study. The scores in both tests revealed that the training sessions gave significant benefits for people suffering from Alzheimer’s and some institutionalized elders with impaired olfaction and taste. The program in combination with other activities has reinforced the knowledge of elders in different fields such as nutrition or cognitive function.

• If relevant, longer-term benefits
Overall, the main objectives and tasks of the GYMSEN project were achieved. Deliverables have been completed in due time. The project has been progressing well and significant results can be presented. The work performed will be statistically analyzed in order to publish the outcomes of the GYMSEN program.

In conclusion, the training program has shown to have beneficial effects in Alzheimer patients with a very positive progression and the possibility to develop scientific projects. The other groups did not show significant changes, because they were not presenting sensory problems. However in these populations, we believe that the training sessions could be potentially positive to reinforce nutrition concepts, to work with memory games or to combine with multiple activities in the elderly population.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 176880 Eur

Project Coordinator

UNIVERSIDAD MIGUEL HERNANDEZ DE ELCHE & Country: ES

Project Partners

• Εταιρεία Νόσου Alzheimer & Συναφών Διαταραχών Αθηνών
• SIK – INSTITUTET FOER LIVSMEDEL OCH BIOTEKNIK AB
• AINIA
• Evropska rozvojova agentura, s.r.o.
• ANZIANI E NON SOLO SOCIETA COOPERATIVA SOCIALE