other thema | Thematic areas | Ageing in the Digital Age

Virtual and Real Learning and Competence Network for Older Adults (ViLE e.V.)

The “Virtuelle und reale Lern- und Kompetenz Netzwerk älterer Erwachsener e.V.” (Virtual and Real Learning and Competence Network for Older Adults) was founded in December 2002 by senior citizens and staff of further education institutions from all over Germany.

The network offers introductory courses in the technical basics of virtual learning, virtual literature circles, its own online newspaper for adults interested in further education (www.lerncafe.de), project and seminar work, workshops and travel offers in the sense of research-based travel. The members work together virtually and in real life, also in regional groups.

The association’s latest project is the production of an information brochure on educational opportunities for older people at universities: The “Digital Study Guide for All”.

Source: https://vile-netzwerk.de

Access date: 01.06.2022

AGE Platform Europe – the voice of older persons at EU level

AGE Platform Europe is a European network of non-profit organisations of and for people aged 50+, which aims to voice and promote the interests of the 200 million citizens aged 50+ in the European Union (Eurostat, 2018) and to raise awareness on the issues that concern them most.

AGE’s vision encompasses an inclusive society, based on well-being for all, solidarity between generations and full entitlement to enjoy life, participate in and contribute to society. At the same time, each person’s rights and responsibilities throughout their life course have to be fully respected.

The network’s work focus on a wide range of policy areas that impact on older and retired people. These include issues of anti-discrimination, employment of older workers and active ageing, social protection, pension reforms, social inclusion, health, elder abuse, intergenerational solidarity, research, accessibility of public transport and of the build environment, and digital technologies (ICT).

The network members seek to give a voice to older and retired people in the EU policy debates, through the active participation of their representative organisations at EU, national, regional and local levels, and provides a European platform for the exchange of experience and best practices. They furthermore inform older people on their rights as EU citizen or resident and on EU policy making processes and recent EU policy development.

Through the involvement in several EU projects, the network members also seek to promote older people’s participation in the development of projects and devices intended for them (‘user involvement’).

Source: https://www.age-platform.eu

Access date: 01.03.2022

Innovative methods for increasing effectiveness of teaching English of 55+ learners (InMETE 55+)

Teaching foreign languages, especially English, to seniors, is becoming one of the most crucial elements of education in later-life in Europe. Existing analysis concerns mainly the needs and current state, but there are not enough didactic materials which would support teachers in their daily work with learners 55+. This concerns in particular those materials that go beyond the traditional language course, and include such elements that are emotionally engaging, motivating, and provide new incentives: mental, physical and sensory – so essential in later-life pedagogy.

Bearing in mind the above, the main objective of the “Innovative methods for increasing effectiveness of teaching English of 55+ learners” (InMETE 55+) project under the Erasmus+ Programme was to develop tangible propositions of innovative methods for increasing effectiveness of teaching English to 55+ learners.

Through well-structured cooperation, researches, discussions, international meetings, three tangible intellectual outputs of the project were prepared:

resource pack of possible resources: materials, ideas and guidelines which could be used during the English lessons to increase cognitive functions of elderly learners, in particular, their attention, motivation, emotional involvement, memory functioning, senses and body involvement, communication sensitivity and capability, and also their well-being;
nine detailed lesson outlines together with teaching/learning materials for teachers and students (each for two levels: elementary (A2-B1) and intermediate (B2) including innovative elements taken from external sources like art, historical heritage of our countries, memory rules and methods, music, poetry, body expression and para-theatrical forms, etc.;
two curricula for a one-year (60 hrs) course for learners 55+, two levels – elementary (A2-B1) and intermediate (B2).

These three products are available free of charge for seniors’ educators from the non-profit sector.
The project Partnership includes organizations from Poland, Hungary and Italy.

Source: https://inmete55plus.blogspot.com/

Access date: 10.09.2021

Digital Skills for People Living in the 3rd Age – Effective Digital Access to Public Services

The project “Digital Skills for People Living in the 3rd Age – Effective Digital Access to Public Services” aims at training elderly people on developing specific digital skills needed to access public services online, and thus to better adapt to digital-oriented changing world and to feel confident using online tools to manage and improve their health and life quality.

Tangible results:

Public services roadmaps providing information on the most relevant online public services in 5 EU countries
Training programme for improving basic digital skills and developing specific skills for digital access to public services
E-learning and e-assistance platform with a Virtual assistance tool for digital inclusion of the elderly
Effective methodology for high-quality work with elderly people by applying confidence-building approach and interactivity
Policy recommendations for improving active ageing and digital literacy of elderly
Triggering word of mouth events for presenting the project results and supporting their exploitation at local, national and European level.

Intangible results:

Improved ability of people living in the 3rd age of effective digital access to public services;
Increased digital literacy of elders;
A step forward active ageing: by obtaining digital skills senior citizens can feel a better accomplishment and personal satisfaction into their lives leading to a more active and healthier 3rd age;
Knowledge and experience gained by partner organisations in the field of transnational cooperation, project management, innovative practices to inclusion of elder people;
Exchange of good practices and lessons learned on active ageing and social inclusion within and across nations.

Digital Access outcomes are available as free on line resources.

Source: http://digital-3rd-age.eu/

Access date: 28.02.2022

Educational Senior Network (EduSenNet)

„EduSenNet“ is a Erasmus+ Programme project which focused on the learning possibilities of the elderly over 50 on the chosen UTAs and countries with the aim to realise pedagogical research with the outcomes about formal, non-formal and informal learning of the elderly. The partners focused on learning possibilities of UTAs, evaluated them and described links with formal education at the universities.

The main goals of the project supported fulfilment of the learning needs and their development in their own environment. Project topic showed, that learning of the elderly is very important not only for the individuals but for whole society throughout Europe.

Main results:

Review Table presenting the learning possibilities revealed in the study
Research on learning conditions, methods and learning needs, comparison of results about motivation and barriers of the elderly participants in adult learning programs
Curriculum innovation within the study programmes
Recommendations for further development of non-formal and informal learning with promotion of the interests of new learners.

The project results have been summarised and documented in the project booklet “Education for seniors in Europe” and brochure “Educational Senior Network”, as well as on the project website.
The project partnership consisted of 7 partners from 6 European countries (Czech republic, the Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia, Sweden and Spain).

Source: https://edusennet.efos-europa.eu/

Access date: 28.04.2021

Inclusive Senior Education through Virtual U3A

The main goal of the project entitled “Inclusive Senior Education through Virtual U3A” is to create a system of inclusive education of seniors (based on the common methodology) with the use of information technology and active engagement of the seniors into the creation of the content of individual courses, including participation in their implementation. Another project objective is to systematically engage the youth into the education of seniors.

Within the project, a new methodology is created. The methodology integrates innovations leading to improvements of inclusive senior education and elimination of weak points. The main focus is on accomplishment of four pillars:

social inclusion,
use of ICT,
active seniors’ participation,
engagement of the youth into senior education

Results:

Three analysis developed by common instructions based on the results of questionnaire for seniors
Comparative case study
Methodology of inclusive senior’s education (without barrier) based on smart using of ICT, cooperative learning, social learning, integrating of youth and boost senior’s confidence.
New virtual classroom as a result of implementation of designed methodology (at least in applicant organisation). Virtual classroom was implemented in the Moodle platform. Although this environment is in English, particular courses are created and lead in national languages.
Courses: ”seniors to seniors”.

Platform and courses are available on the link: https://isev.osu.cz/

The project was participated by 4 institutions from Czech Republic, Portugal and Italy.

Project co-financed by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Programme.

Source: https://projekty.osu.cz/isev/

Access date: 11.09.2020

In the protection of life and health – telecare and telemedicine

The projects “In the protection of life and health – telecare and telemedicine” are addressed to seniors 65+ from designated areas of the Silesian Voivodeship. As part of them, remote care and health services tailored to their needs are implemented in seniors’ homes, the so-called telecare and telemedicine. These care and health services, combining modern ICT technologies with the work of professionals, are designed to extend the period of independence of seniors at home.

Each participant undergoes an interview with recognition of their needs, during which it is determined what types of support available in the project, apart from remote care, can help the Seniors in maintaining their health – and we try to provide these services. Depending on the identified needs, during the projects, participants are provided with special devices for remote ECG or glucotransmitters. Additionally, in the house of each participant, telecare devices are installed with the possibility of 24-hour contact with the Telecare Centre. There is a professional Telecare Centre in Jastrzębie-Zdrój, where qualified telecarers work (people experienced in working with seniors, including medical caregivers, psychologists, gerontologists, occupational therapists, senior consultants, paramedics). On the other hand, in Katowice, there is the Telemedicine Centre, where paramedics as well as doctors – cardiologists and internists work 24/7. These two centers working together provide care for seniors in the field of emergency coordination, psychological assistance, screening for neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer, Parkinson), cardiological problems and diabetes. Each service in the project is completely free. A very important element of the project is the involvement of the neighborhood network and the help of volunteers.

The implementers of telecare and telemedicine projects are the “EBI Association”, OPIEKANOVA Sp. z o.o., Telemedycyna Polska S.A. and partner towns.

Projects implemented under the Regional Operational Programme of the Silesian Voivodeship for 2014-2020 co-financed by the European Social Fund.

Source: https://zaopiekowana.pl/, https://zaopiekowany.pl/

Access date: 24.02.2021

SOS for Senior – longer at home, safer, more active, more confident

The “SOS for Senior” project deals with the implementation of social services based on individual needs that can be realized at home and in the local community. The applied support combines modern technologies with professional social services and activation. The target group of the project are people aged 60+ from Jastrzębie-Zdrój.

Each participant of the project – a person who cannot cope with a new life situation (loneliness, dependence, illness, partner’s condition) gets the opportunity to take advantage of a wide range of ad hoc services that improve the life situation – remote care (telecare), home services, home rest service, activation in local environment.

Each project participant undergoes an interview with recognition of their needs, during which the types of support available in the project are determined. For the duration of the project, special telecare devices are installed in seniors’ houses with the possibility of 24-hour contact with the person under care. There is a Telecare Centre in Jastrzębie-Zdrój, where qualified telecarers work (people experienced in working with seniors, including medical caregivers, psychologists, senior consultants). As part of direct support aimed at activating seniors, the range of services includes neighborhood and caring animation services, respite services, Senior Club classes, including workshops with a psychologist, passionate and thematic activities, socialization and sports activities. Everything to make the lives of our Seniors as long as possible, the safest and the most active in the local community. Each service in the project is completely free, the entire cost of devices and support is financed from the European Union, the state budget and the implementers’ own contribution.

A very important element in the project is the Coordination of Senior Care (SOS). The involvement of the neighborhood network, the help of volunteers, the work of employees activating seniors and medical carers, as well as activities dedicated to specific groups of participants in the created Senior Club are to contribute to maintaining the condition of Seniors or even their activation. Therefore, apart from the caring function (reacting to emergency situations, accompanying through social talks, talking to a psychologist), telecare also coordinates other activities supporting our participants according to Individualized Action Plans.

The implementers of the “SOS for Senior” project are the “EBI Association”, OPIEKANOVA Sp. z o.o. and the town of Jastrzębie-Zdrój with the Social Welfare Center.

Project implemented under the Regional Operational Programme of the Silesia Voivodeship for 2014-2020 co-financed by the European Social Fund.

Source: https://ebi.org.pl/sos/

Access date: 24.02.2021

Multiannual programme for the elderly “Active+” for the years 2021–2025

The main goal of the multiannual program “Active+” for the elderly persons for 2021-2025 is to increase the participation of older persons in all areas of social life by supporting the activity of non-governmental organizations working for seniors.

For the “Active+” programme, in each year of its operation, funds will be allocated to activities and initiatives that activate seniors. Non-governmental organizations and other authorized entities acting for the benefit of the elderly will be able to apply for co-financing of their projects with the amount of PLN 25,000-250,000.

Co-financing will be awarded in four priority areas:

Social activity, which includes activities aimed at increasing the participation of older persons in active forms of spending free time, supporting dependent elderly persons and their environment in the place of residence, developing voluntary work for older persons in the local environment and increasing the involvement of elderly persons in the labour market.
Social participation, which contributes to strengthening the self-organization of the elderly environment and increasing the influence of the elderly on decisions concerning the living conditions of citizens.
Digital inclusion, including activities aimed at increasing the skills of using modern technologies and using new media by older persons, as well as disseminating and implementing technological solutions favoring social inclusion and safe functioning of the elderly.
Preparation for old age by strengthening lasting intergenerational relations, shaping a positive image of the elderly and increasing the safety of seniors.

The program is financed from the state budget.

Source: http://senior.gov.pl/program_asos

Access date: 09.09.2021

The “Seniors in Action” Programme

The “Seniors in Action” is a nationwide programme, which has been implemented since 2008 by the Society for Creative Initiatives “ę” from the funds of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation. It was launched to use the enormous potential of free time, knowledge and life experience of older people.

In the “Seniors in Action”, seniors decide. They implement their ideas, introducing positive changes in the lives of their peers and in their community. In the programme active persons who want to combine developing their own passions and interests with acting for the benefit of others are looked for. Younger people who want to support intergenerational activities are also invited to participate.

Recruitment to the programme is organized in the form of a competition, within which the ideas developed by persons 60+ (alone or together with a younger person – the animators in a pair must differ in age by at least 25 years) in cooperation with a selected non-profit organization or institution , e.g., a third age university, foundation, association, community center, library, or housing association can be supported.

Grants are awarded for the implementation of projects that involve the elderly in activities for the benefit of the surroundings, promote intergenerational cooperation and volunteer work of the elderly.

Participants of the “Seniors in Action”, in addition to grants for the implementation of the project, may receive funds for study visits, which enable them to learn about initiatives carried out in various locations covered by the programme. The possibility of cooperation with experienced trainers from the network of Flying Culture Animators and Flying Sociologists run by the Society “ę” is considered to be an additional support.

Source: https://seniorzywakcji.pl/

Access date: 31.03.2022