16 aug 2018

WHO selects unique project in Euregio Meuse-Rhine as ‘best practice’

Interreg-project serves as an example for Europe


The World Health Organisation (WHO) is so impressed by the effect of the Interreg project ‘Senior Friendly Communities’ that the crossborder project for seniors in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine has been labelled as a "Best Practice" for Europe.

In this project 9 euregional partners and 31 municipalities in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine work together on a senior-friendly environment and society. Goal of the project is to have elderly people suffering from dementia or depression taking part in society as long as possible. A unique element is the fact that experiences are shared crossborder in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany and the partners learn from the lessons in other countries. 

Important to the WHO is the fact that this project gives municipalities a chance to offer consistent care and assistance to seniors as well as their caretakers. 


What does the project entail?

In 2017 an investigation was conducted to the activities that were already taken up by the various municipalities in this regard. Subsequently the choice could be made from a selection of 15 handson activities directly or indirectly focussed on these targetgroups of seniors with dementia or depression and their caretakers. 

These are existing activities in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany that will be executed crossborder the upcoming year. After this period new research will be done to see what is needed to continue on the chosen path and to maintain a healthy seniorfriendly community. 

In the Euregio Meuse-Rhine approximately 8% of people over 65 know dementia. Of all 50+ seniors about 25% struggles with complaints concerning depression. With the current demographics at hand these numbers will only increase in the years to come. 

This project is supported by the Interreg V-A Euregio Meuse-Rhine Programm.


More info:
Publication World Health Organisation:      
http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/377424/hss-ncd-policy-brief-meuse-rhine-eng.pdf?ua=1

Meer over het project Senior Friendly Communities:                   https://www.interregemr.eu/projects/euprevent-sfc-en

Andere best practises van World Health Organisation:                                                                    http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/Health-systems/health-systems-response-to-ncds/publications/good-practice-briefs

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