Exercise and technology for safety and health in old age: A Societally Motivated Research Platform (SMRP) Magnus Lindwall, PhD., Centre of Sport and Health Research, Halmstad University Liselotte Rooke, PhD, Assoc Prof., Sydsam Sweden Regional policy responses to demographic changes conference Brussels 25 January 2007

Getting old…. …or just getting better?

Maintaining/improving quality of life and health for the increasing population of elderly in Europe a major challenge (i.e. the demographic challenge) for Europe in the pursuit of the Lisbon agenda. Maintaining/improving quality of life and health for the increasing population of elderly in Europe a major challenge (i.e. the demographic challenge) for Europe in the pursuit of the Lisbon agenda. The dissemination and/or use of research results by practitioners is often poor. A gap existing between theory and practice; research and applied work. The dissemination and/or use of research results by practitioners is often poor. A gap existing between theory and practice; research and applied work. Two problems

For more info on SMRP: http.// One solution? Societally Motivated Research Plaforms (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 Companies Sydsam South Sweden Centre of Sport and Health Research, Halmstad University Municipality Home Care Sevices The Health Care Technology Alliance

Creating the SMRP… Research on exercise and mental health for elderly (e.g., Lindwall et al., 2007) Research on exercise and mental health for elderly (e.g., Lindwall et al., 2007) Getting involved in existing networks- listen to needs of practitioners. Identifying key areas Getting involved in existing networks- listen to needs of practitioners. Identifying key areas Joint RCT pilot-research project with a health company Joint RCT pilot-research project with a health company Public dissemination of results - getting stakeholders involved Public dissemination of results - getting stakeholders involved Conference Conference Evaluation- next project Evaluation- next project

The Båstad-model: From research to action! The aim is to increase quality of life and health for elderly people (+60) and to reduce public health care costs. The aim is to increase quality of life and health for elderly people (+60) and to reduce public health care costs. Joint collaboration between municipality, community, region, university, companies and private persons. Joint collaboration between municipality, community, region, university, companies and private persons. Scientifically grounded program based on: Scientifically grounded program based on: (a) preventive health care; (b) relief of pain and other health problems; (c) quick rehabilitation; (d) social activities; (e) mental skills training Continuous scientific evaluation designed as research projects Continuous scientific evaluation designed as research projects Investment today results in long-term profit tomorrow! Investment today results in long-term profit tomorrow!

Conclusions and the future SMRP is a way forward for public stakeholders in Europe to handle societal challenges, form strategic knowledge-based research agendas, and to learn from each other together with researchers! SMRP is a way forward for public stakeholders in Europe to handle societal challenges, form strategic knowledge-based research agendas, and to learn from each other together with researchers! The Commission will now in FP7 launch Social Platform (a concept closely related to SMRP) The Commission will now in FP7 launch Social Platform (a concept closely related to SMRP) Collaboration across countries Collaboration across countries Europe is on the move....who wants to join in? Europe is on the move....who wants to join in?

THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION! Questions?