Sensory Gymnastic for the Elderly, GYMSEN is a training project which aims the maintenance of sensory capacities for the elderly with the consequences for the improvement of their wellness and quality of life. Aging is accompanied by changes in both physiological and psychological level that lead to loss of sensory abilities of individuals. This can trigger changes in diet and lifestyle. Inappropriate nutrition can enhance the risk of many geriatric disorders and diseases. Therefore, the effort to the maintenance of sensory perception performance in “well shape” by the sensory gymnastic may prevent and/or improve functional and cognitive decline, reducing healthcare dependency. The foreseen methodology consists of the training of four different profiles of elderly people with different health, active and dependence status by means of the people who teach or care them: University professors, relatives, therapists, caregivers in general depending on the specific Elderly profile. The course will have common modules and also some parts adapted to the specific needs of each collective of elderly people. The result will be the course on Sensory Gymnastic validated by the own end-users by a pilot activity, both caregivers and elderly people themselves. The training provided by professionals or relatives involved with elderly will assure the proper completion of the course. The main expected impact of the project will be the well being of elderly people through the retarding on the deterioration of the olfactory function as well as the maintenance for elderly cognitive capacity. For caregivers and relatives, the acquisition of tools for greater effectiveness of activities for the benefit of elders. As potential long term effect it is expected that Sensory Gymnastic could be include in the usual activities provide by University, associations, Day Care Centers, etc. Dissemination and sustainability activities are foreseen in order to assure the long term effect of GYMSEN project.
• Context background of the project During lifetime, human body experiences several changes at the physiological and psychological levels, including a gradual loss of sensory capabilities. These involve mainly sight and hearing, although the senses of smell and taste are also affected during aging. These factors induce changes in food processing, diet and lifestyle. When the perception for food and taste preferences is altered, the sense of satisfaction in eating is affected. Overall, health problems arise in the aging population due to an inadequate diet, induced partly by the loss of taste and perception. This process can increase, among other things, the risk of acquiring many age-related diseases, such as dementia, functional deterioration (dysphagia, xerostomia, and digestion problems) and decreased immune response. • Objectives GYMSEN is a training project in which the main objective is focused on maintaining the sensory abilities of the elderly in order to improve their wellbeing and quality of life. • Number and profile of participating organisations UMH (University Miguel Hernandez-Spain) is the leader organisation. UMH possesses high competence in the innovative program for elderly people with the unique project of the “University of Experience”, which has been one of the scenarios included in the project. SP (formerly SIK) (Sveriges Tekniska Forskningsinstitut-Sweden) has experience in sensory research. The Nordic Taste and Flavour Centre is being established at SP. AINIA is a Technological Centre and Training provider, as well as a Food&Drink SME association. ANS (Anziani e Non Solo-Italy) has competences in activities aiming to promote active-ageing, inter-generational activities and well-being. AAADRD (Athens Association of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders-Greece) runs 4 dementia day care centres in Athens. ERA (European Development Agency-Czech Republic) has competences into the partnership key experience with social innovation and active ageing. • Description of undertaken main activities Activity 1: Management and Quality. This included all the activities aimed to set the minimum quality level required to successfully carry out the project. Activity 2: Research concerning the Training Needs Analysis (TNA). In order to create materials useful for designing the course for the target groups: Documentation and data questionnaire. Activity 3: Development of the training program and materials. Activity 4: Planning and performance of the pilot for the training program, testing and impact analysis. Activity 5: Dissemination and exploitation. The Dissemination Plan includes objectives, tools used for dissemination, corporate image rules, procedures and responsibilities of partners. A project website (www.gymsen.eu) has been created. • Results and impact attained The main result is: A course of sensory gymnastics for the elderly. The output consists of a common course on sensory gymnastics for elderly with specific parts adapted to the particular end users. We have considered 2 main profiles according to the analysis performed with the validation tools at the end of the pilots: elders with normal olfaction and taste (intellectually active, intellectually inactive and some institutionalized elders) and elders with alterations in olfaction and taste (some institutionalized and all Alzheimer’s elders). The impact analysis was determined in each group by focusing in two key aspects: improvements in the sensory function and in the nutritional status. They were evaluated according the scores obtained from the OCT (Olfactory Capability Test) and MNA® (Mini-Nutritional Assessment) tests respectively at the beginning and at the end of the study. The scores in both tests revealed that the training sessions gave significant benefits for people suffering from Alzheimer’s and some institutionalized elders with impaired olfaction and taste. The program in combination with other activities has reinforced the knowledge of elders in different fields such as nutrition or cognitive function. • If relevant, longer-term benefits Overall, the main objectives and tasks of the GYMSEN project were achieved. Deliverables have been completed in due time. The project has been progressing well and significant results can be presented. The work performed will be statistically analyzed in order to publish the outcomes of the GYMSEN program. In conclusion, the training program has shown to have beneficial effects in Alzheimer patients with a very positive progression and the possibility to develop scientific projects. The other groups did not show significant changes, because they were not presenting sensory problems. However in these populations, we believe that the training sessions could be potentially positive to reinforce nutrition concepts, to work with memory games or to combine with multiple activities in the elderly population.