EU-27 citizens > 65 years will be about 103.2 millions and > 80 years will be 29.3 millions in year 2020 (DG ECFIN /Ageing Report 2012)Mobility is defined as the ability of an individual to purposively move about her environment. Mobility limitations, or Reduced Mobility, are impairments in movement and affect between one third and one half of adults age 65 or older. Mobility is an important predictor of Quality of Life (QoL) among Elder Persons and a measure of successful aging (www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197457217302057). Assistive Technologies (ATs) offers products, resources, methods, strategies, practices and services that promote the functionality of Persons with Reduced Mobility, aiming at their autonomy, independence, QoL and social inclusion. Its development and deployment can be considered an attempt to neutralize the barriers caused by the Reduced Mobility and related disability (Assistive technology and its relationship to the quality of life of people with disabilities. Rev Ter Ocup Univ São Paulo. 2017 Jan.-Apr.;28(1):54-62.)ERMAT is launched with the main objective of increasing the competences (attitudes, knowledge, skills) of Elder Persons with Reduced mobility, Informal Caregivers and Professionals on the application of Assistive Technologies for improving their Quality of Life.Specific objectives:- To promote sense of self-care and care supported by ATs - To inform about available ATs and their application to the specific needs of EPRM- Create awareness and trust about the importance and possibilities of using ATs for improving QoL of EPRM, increasing their autonomy and community participation. - To create digital and technological skills, which allow EPRM and supports to properly exploit ATs- To create an e-learning environment that could facilitate the access of EPRM to the training contents- To involve Informal Caregivers, Professionals and other Elder Persons as Peer-Supports that will support those EPRM that are not able to directly attend to the training activities.Through the execution of this Project the next results will be obtained;- Co-Created Methodological Guide (I.O.1) will be developed, involving the direct participation of End Users, with the main objective of determining the key contents, methodologies and tools needed for creating and improving the critical competences of Elder Persons with Reduced Mobility (EPRM), Informal Caregivers and Professionals on how to apply Assistive Technologies (ATs) for improving their Quality of Life (QoL)- Training Materials (I.O.2) addressed to EPRM, Informal Caregivers and Professionals on how to apply Assistive Technologies (ATs) for improving their Quality of Life (QoL)- Designed Practical Training Activities (I.O.3); They will be the core of the Training Program and they will include the design of Face-to-Face and Online Sessions and will be based on Group Dynamics and, specially, Practical Activities, to be implemented with the common participation of EPRM, informal caregivers and professionals where they will be directly trained in how to exploit available ATs for improving their mobility and QoL through putting into practice methods and tools during the Training Activities, both in institutions and homes- Development of an e-Training Platform (I.O.4), for supporting the implementation of the Training Methodology, including Training Materials, Workspace and link to applicable ICT/Assistive Technologies Tools.- Creation of 7 SUPPORT UNITS in the members of the Consortium in order to ensure the sustainable exploitation of the project after the project lifetime.- Implementation of 6 Multiplier Events on the application of Assistive Technologies for improving the Quality of Life of EPRM on each country addressed to stakeholders that could multiply the impact of the project- Development of Dissemination Actions addressed to the European collective related to Elder Persons. VALIDATION PILOT ACTIONS will be implemented involving 120 persons (20 in Romania, Spain, Croatia, Slovenia, Germany and Greece) including EPRM, Informal Caregivers and Professionals for validation of the project results.Impact of Validation Actions during project lifetimeIn the short term, the project will increase the competences of 120 persons, including Elder Persons with Reduced Mobility (EPRM), Informal Caregivers and Professionals (20 in Romania, Spain, Croatia, Slovenia, Germany and Greece) through their participation in the validation actions of Training Materials, Designed Practical Training Activities and e-Training Platform.Impact of Dissemination Actions during project lifetimeIn the short term 3.000 Elder Persons with Reduced Mobility (EPRM), Informal Caregivers and Professionals (500 in Romania, Spain, Croatia, Slovenia, Germany and Greece) will be aware, through multiplier events and dissemination actions to be carried on through the project website, newsletters, leaflets, etc…

Technology has the potential to support the process of active and healthy ageing. However, modern devices, in particular information and communication technology (ICT), lack of adoption and use by older persons. The reasons for this are complex but a key aspect is found strengthening digital skills and ICT-literacy. The overall aim of AcTive was to develop training materials that pay attention to specific needs of persons who are not experienced in using assistive devices (e.g. like smartphones or emergency call systems). These training materials can be used by peers, friends and family but also professional users to answer questions and show examples of the benefits that technology has to offer to support the daily life. The training materials are supported by an online platform. All materials were evaluated by the future users and received very positive feedback.Aims of AcTive: - To create awareness and trust about the potential of using technology for improving active and healthy ageing; - foster ICT-literacy, which allow older users to benefit from modern technology; - inform about available technological possibilities and their application to the specific needs of the users; - give support and guidelines for a “peer to peer” training model;The Consortium is formed by entities working in the field of supporting older persons in ICT skills: - E -SENIORS (France), - Centrul IT pentru Stiinta si Tehnologie (Romania), - Stowarzyszenie Spoleczenstwa Wiedzy (Poland), - GESTIO SOCIOSANITARIA AL MEDITERRANI SL (Spain), - Sozialverband VdK Saarland / ISO Institute (Germany)

<< Background >>Around 10 million persons in Europe, usually older than 65, live with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and other forms of dementia and a growth is expected (Alzheimer Europe Yearbook, 2019). The cerebral changes come with a general deterioration of the health status. Evidence suggests that amongst persons with dementia (PWD) there is a high prevalence of comorbid medical conditions and related impairments (Sanderson et al., 2002), as it may adversely affect the clinical care and undermine a patient’s ability to self-manage chronic conditions and engage in health maintenance activities (Bunn et al. 2016). Along the first stages of the disease, levels 2 to 4 of the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS), PWD may begin to have difficulties living independently and they would need some kind of support and care, while they still retain their ability in most of basic and simple instrumental activities days of life (ADLs). According to the Quality of Life Model, this support must be based in empowering them towards self-management, being a process to “help people gain control, including people taking the initiative, solving problems and taking decisions” (ENOPE 2012).Mobile Health (mHealth) includes applications (apps) that may connect to medical devices or sensors (e.g., bracelets or watches) as well as personal guidance systems, health information and medication reminders. mHealth apps cover various technological solutions, that among others measure vital signs such as heart rate, blood glucose level, blood pressure, body temperature and brain activities and deliver communication, information, motivation and training tools for keeping or improving the health condition (WHO, 2012). To date, in addition to general mHealth technologies, there are specific applications for dementia healthcare used in cognitive training, screening, health and safety monitoring, leisure and socialization, and navigation. (Yousaf et al., 2019) mHealth contributes to the empowerment of persons with mild dementia (hereinafter PWD), as they could manage their health more actively, live more independently thanks to self-assessments or remote monitoring solutions and also receive support from caregivers and healthcare professionals in a less invasive environment (https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/mhealth). Eventually it will help to stay longer in the home setting before needing care in institutions. However, the adoption of mHealth technologies by PWD is very low at EU level, due to several barriers, including those for any elder persons, whose “acceptance criteria” focus on; perception of usefulness; user requirements; self-efficacy; sense of self and control; privacy and confidentiality; cost (Spann&Stewart, 2018). In addition, PWD faces specifics challenges, among others;•Lack of awareness about the benefits of mHealth and how to apply it for their own self-management.•They withdraw from challenging situations and feel embarrassment when being confronted with new and complex situations (GDS)•mHealth solutions can cause dexterity limitations and leads to distressing behavior (Yousaf et al., 2020)•Lack of transference methods directly addressed and adapted to PWD<< Objectives >>mHEALTH-AD is launched with the main objective of increasing the competences of PWD (GDS 2-4) for adopting mHealth technologies.Specific objectives:-Increasing self-management and empowerment of PWD regarding their health condition-Transference of adapted information about existing affordable mHealth technologies selected based on the general and specific acceptance criteria and how to use them-Development of a training methodology based on “learning by doing” and “gamification” where PWD can be trained in a “friendly” environment, reducing their fears, concerns and reservations to the mHealth technologies before they can use it in the real world. -Development of a Digital Serious Game which will motivate them to be engaged with mHealth and increase their digital skills.According to that, mHEALTH-AD will get the next impacts in the population of persons with mild dementia (PWD)-They will increase their self-management and empowerment-They will improve their health condition-They will increase their digital skills-They will increase their resilience in the framework of health emergencies, like those related with the COVID-19 pandemic.We could distinguish among different kind of impacts:Short Term:100 PWD (20 in Germany, Spain, Slovenia, Greece and Turkey) will participate in the Pilot Validation Actions, and, this way, they will increase their competences for adopting mHealth solutions.4.500 persons (1.500 in Germany, 1.000 in Slovenia and Greece and 500 Spain and Turkey and Greece) including PWD, professionals working with PWD, formal and informal caregivers, health professionals and other stakeholders related with the quality of life of PWD and/or the Mobile Health (mHealth) will be aware, through multiplier events and dissemination actions to be carried on through the project website, newsletters, leaflets, etc…Long Term: 200 persons will be trained and will increase their competences for adopting mHealth solutions (40 in Germany, Spain, Slovenia, Greece and Turkey) yearly during the 5 years after the completion of the project using the Project Results4.500 persons (1.500 in Germany, 1.000 in Slovenia and Greece and 500 Spain and Turkey and Greece) will be aware yearly during the 5 years after the completion of the project, through multiplier events and dissemination actions to be carried on through the project website, newsletters, leaflets, etc…<< Implementation >>Through the execution of this Project the next main outcomes will be obtained;PR1. CO-CREATED METHODOLOGICAL GUIDEA Methodological Guide will be developed with the main objective of determining the key contents, methodologies and tools needed for increasing the competences related to the adoption of mobile health (mHealth) technologies by persons with mild dementia (PWD). It will be developed with the direct involvement and contributions from PWD, as end-users, who will help in the determination of the definitive approach to be used for the development of further Project Results of the Training Program, including key contents, methodologies and tools to be included.PR2. DESIGNED EXPERIENTIAL TRAINING ACTIVITIES Designed Experiential Training Activities (DETA) will be designed for increasing the awareness and competences on PWD about the use of mobile health (mHealth) technologies based in a learning by doing approach, where they will be involved in situations of health self-management where they will acquire competences through the real use of mHEALTH solutions. This Project Result will be addressed to TRAINERS (mainly caregivers, relatives or health professionals), as it will include all the information needed for successfully leading the training process with the trainees (PWD).PR3. TRAINING MATERIALS Following the specifications set in the Methodological Guide (PR1), a set Training Materials will be developed for TRAINEES (PWD) for being used along the implementation of the Experiential Training Activities (PR2). They will support the learning process on competences of PWD for increasing their health self-management supported by mHealth solutions.Training Materials will be developed mainly in audiovisual format (videos, images, infographics, etc.) to facilitate the learning experience and overcome possible learning difficulties of PWD, although written materials (MSN Word, PDF, PowerPoints, case studies, best practices, assignments, etc.) will also be developed, adapted in content and in form to PWD.PR4. DIGITAL SERIOUS GAMEA Digital Serious Game will be designed and developed to be used by PWD in order to better understand the concepts related to mHealth, their benefits, increase their motivation and also check their knowledge about good health habits.The game framework will be about creating an Avatar with the main characteristics of a PWD and care for its health through monitoring health-related data, simulating that they are send by the Avatar by means of mHealth solutions. Topics mentioned during the game sessions will be based on the Experiential Training Activities (PR2) and the relevant Training materials (PR3)PR5. e-TRAINING PLATFORMAn e-Training Platform (PR5) will be developed supporting the training experience, adapted to PWD, fully customized to the training framework, including specific functions for enhancing the implementation of the Experimental Training Activities (PR2) and the structured access to the Training Materials (PR3) depending on the specific training needs of each PWD and linked to the mHEALTH-AD Serious Game (PR4)A set of VALIDATION PILOT ACTIONS will be implemented in all countries with 100 PWD (20 in Germany, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Greece), where the project results (PR2, PR3, PR4 and PR5) will be implemented and possible improvements will be implemented before the end of the project.6 NATIONAL MULTIPLIER EVENTS will be implemented and all the project results will be introduced to relevant national stakeholders.<< Results >>Through the execution of this Project the next main outcomes will be obtained;PR1. CO-CREATED METHODOLOGICAL GUIDEPR2. DESIGNED EXPERIENTIAL TRAINING ACTIVITIES PR3. TRAINING MATERIALS PR4. DIGITAL SERIOUS GAMEPR5. e-TRAINING PLATFORM

Background We propose a holistic view of interrelated frailties: cognitive decline, physical frailty, depression and anxiety, social isolation and poor sleep quality, which are a major burden to older adults and social and health care systems. Early detection and intervention are crucial in sustaining active and healthy ageing (AHA) and slowing or reversing further decline. Aims and Relevance The main aim of my-AHA is to reduce frailty risk by improving physical activity and cognitive function, psychological state, social resources, nutrition, sleep and overall well-being. It will empower older citizens to better manage their own health, resulting in healthcare cost savings. my-AHA will use state-of-the-art analytical concepts to provide new ways of health monitoring and disease prevention through individualized profiling and personalized recommendations, feedback and support. Approach An ICT-based platform will detect defined risks in the frailty domains early and accurately via non-stigmatising embedded sensors and data readily available in the daily living environment of older adults. When risk is detected, my-AHA will provide targeted ICT-based interventions with a scientific evidence base of efficacy, including vetted offerings from established providers of medical and AHA support. These interventions will follow an integrated approach to motivate users to participate in exercise, cognitively stimulating games and social networking to achieve long-term behavioural change, sustained by continued end user engagement with my-AHA. Scale and Sustainability The proposed platform provides numerous incentives to engage diverse stakeholders, constituting a sustainable ecosystem with empowered end users and reliable standardised interfaces for solutions providers, which will be ready for larger scale deployment at project end. The ultimate aim is to deliver significant innovation in the area of AHA by cooperation with European health care organizations, SMEs, NGOs.

ACTIVAGE is a European Multi Centric Large Scale Pilot on Smart Living Environments. The main objective is to build the first European IoT ecosystem across 9 Deployment Sites (DS) in seven European countries, reusing and scaling up underlying open and proprietary IoT platforms, technologies and standards, and integrating new interfaces needed to provide interoperability across these heterogeneous platforms, that will enable the deployment and operation at large scale of Active & Healthy Ageing IoT based solutions and services, supporting and extending the independent living of older adults in their living environments, and responding to real needs of caregivers, service providers and public authorities. The project will deliver the ACTIVAGE IoT Ecosystem Suite (AIOTES), a set of Techniques, Tools and Methodologies for interoperability at different layers between heterogeneous IoT Platforms and an Open Framework for providing Semantic Interoperability of IoT Platforms for AHA, addressing trustworthiness, privacy, data protection and security. User-demand driven interoperable IoT-enabled Active & Healthy Ageing solutions will be deployed on top of the AIOTES in every DS, enhancing and scaling up existing services, for the promotion of independent living, the mitigation of frailty, and preservation of quality of life and autonomy. ACTIVAGE will assess the socio-economic impact, the benefits of IoT-based smart living environments in the quality of life and autonomy, and in the sustainability of the health and social care systems, demonstrating the seamless capacity of integration and interoperability of the IoT ecosystem, and validating new business, financial and organizational models for care delivery, ensuring the sustainability after the project end, and disseminating these results to a worldwide audience. The consortium comprises industries, research centres, SMEs, service providers, public authorities encompassing the whole value chain in every Deployment Site.