The overall objective of this project was to develop an electronic tool with activities that could promote active and healthy ageing through social participation. To this end, professionals working with older people were trained to be active agents. In addition, a digital tool was developed that could help professionals to promote active ageing and, in parallel, improve the digital skills of older people. Under this general objective, the project set out to achieve the following specific objectives: • Develop a user-friendly electronic tool for the elderly. • Fostering the skills of professionals through a training programme. • Promote active ageing, social and civic participation and the principles of environmental sustainability among older people in European societies. • To improve and increase the use of new technologies by older people.
Population ageing is one of the most important changes facing our society and, according to the World Health Organisation (2020), there will be two billion people over the age of 60 by 2050. In general terms, the ageing process is characterised by decreased physiological activity and increased vulnerability (Alonso et al., 2007 and Fried et al., 2003). This vulnerability was exacerbated during confinement. Older people experienced more social restrictions (Wynants et al., 2020) that affected their physical, cognitive and psychological health and also their social relationships. In this situation, new technologies were a lifeline. They became essential tools for socialising, but their use is not equal. It is lower in older people (Seifert, Cotton, & Xie, 2021) despite its advantages. Given this fact, the e-Active project has aimed to extend the benefits of new technologies to older people by creating an electronic tool adapted to the needs of older people. In particular, the project has focused on improving their physical, cognitive and social health.