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MIND&GAIT

POCI-01-0145-FEDER-023822

Promoção da autonomia de idosos frágeis através da melhoria da cognição e capacidade de marcha e utilização de produtos de apoio.

Promoting independent living in frail older adults by improving cognition and gait ability and using assistive products.

This project proposes to promote independent living in frail older adults (FOA) through the development of innovative initiatives and systems for improved cognition and gait ability and the provision of specific equipment. We will develop a structured and integrated Combined Intervention composed of a computer-based cognitive stimulation and animal-assisted therapy program, a physical activity program, as well as an auto-blocking mechanism for rolling walkers. Additionally, a web platform will be used as a repository and as na instrument for the dissemination of results and resources. A strategy involving 6 partners was planned, targeting the components of education, innovation, and practice-based research with knowledge transfer into clinical practice.

PARCERIA:

ESCOLA SUPERIOR DE ENFERMAGEM DE COIMBRA

INSTITUTO POLITÉCNICO DE LEIRIA

INSTITUTO POLITÉCNICO SANTARÉM

INSTITUTO POLITECNICO DE COIMBRA

CARITAS DIOCESANA DE COIMBRA

SANTA CASA DA MISERICÓRDIA DE ALCOBAÇA

INVESTIGADOR RESPONSÁVEL IPC:

CÂNDIDA MARIA DOS SANTOS PEREIRA MALÇA (ISEC)

FINANCIAMENTO

Investimento Elegível:  €

Investimento Elegível IPC: 12.472,86 €

DESCRIÇÃO SUMÁRIA:

Frail older adults (FOA) have a high vulnerability for adverse health outcomes and are more prone to falls, fractures, disability, dependency, hospitalization, and institutional placement. This project proposes to promote independente living in FOA through the development of innovative initiatives and systems for improved cognition and gait ability and the provision of specific equipment. We will develop a structured and integrated Combined Intervention composed of a computer-based cognitive stimulation and animal-assisted therapy program, a physical activity program, as well

as an auto-blocking mechanism for rolling walkers. Additionally, a web platform will be used as a repository and as an instrument for the dissemination of results and resources. A strategy involving 6 partners was planned, targeting the components of education, innovation, and practice-based research with knowledge transfer into clinical practice.

The multidisciplinary team includes the Nursing School of Coimbra, the Polytechnic Institutes of Coimbra, Leiria and Santarém, and two FOA care provider institutions: Cáritas Coimbra and Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Alcobaça. This allows interconnecting Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Exercise sciences, and Mechanical and Computer Engineering to build services and value-added products in the health area, ICT applied to Health, and mobile applications, which

are key aspects of its originality. Furthermore, it is based on and will be tested in the daily clinical practice settings by integrating the knowledge of different scientific areas to deliver a service and a contact network. The servisse consists of a practical intervention that guides the professionals’ provision of care to FOA. It will be disseminated through the platform and can be replicated in several FOA care settings. The contact network intends to extend the interdisciplinarity between partners involved in education and for future research. The proposal has an economic interest because the final product will be showcased in international fairs, ensuring the transfer of this new knowledge in the form of a product and potential service, so that it can contribute to the companies’ value chain and lead to economic gains with the marketing of new products. We will respond to the health needs by improving quality of life and providing safety, offering services to market segments whose populations have been excluded due to the citizens’ low economic power, allowing for their effective social inclusion and response to the health problems arising from these societal challenges. This project also aims to contribute to a more interaction and impact of polytechnic institutes and schools on Portuguese society and economy, encouraging scientific research and technological development activities based on experience and practice, and geared towards innovation, particularly in the social sector.

Período de execução:

Data de início: 01/06/2017

Data de termo: 30/11/2018

Localização:

Centro: 80,91%

Alentejo: 19, 09%


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