healthy and active ageing - EuroHealthNet's Healthy Ageing Website

of 149 older people answering both questionnaires (45% of first sample). Overall, the evaluation
results indicated that the project had been successful in intensifying participation in social activities
and raising awareness of local services and information among participants. Although the project had
a special focus on vulnerable groups, the majority of participants represented middle and higher social
groups. The project was assessed to have a high level of sustainability and transferability to other
settings. No cost-effectiveness analysis was carried out. http://www.healthproelderly.com/database/
plists/singleview/82
21. Ripe Apples
Promoting health among older women in rural areas through community services
Ripe Apples (2002-2004) was implemented in Austria, and sought to promote health among older
women living in rural areas in Austria. The project created activities and support services for women,
such as fixed meeting places for the women, and based on these experiences advocated for social
and political changes to ease transition into the third age.
The project was funded by the Austrian Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, the Fund for a
Healthy Austria and participating local governments.
More information is available at:
http://www.i2i-project.net/showAction.php?id=51
22. Aspiring to Healthy Living
Developing tools for culturally sensitive health promotion interventions
“Aspiring to Healthy Living” (2000-2004) was a Dutch project aiming to map the needs and demands
of elderly people of Dutch and Moroccan descent between the ages of 45-75 in the Rotterdam
area. Based on ongoing input from the target group, the project team developed “guides/tool kits” to
facilitate the implementation of healthy ageing initiatives, sensitive to gender and cultural differences,
to the rest of the Netherlands. Evaluation results showed that the involved target group benefited from
participation in the project, and provided positive feedback on the initiative. However, the intervention
has not yet been implemented in other part of the Netherlands, despite initial positive attitudes among
relevant stakeholders.
More information is available at:
http://www.healthproelderly.com/database/plists/singleview/165
23. Silver Song Clubs (the UK)
Socially activating migrant and other vulnerable people through singing classes
“Silver Song Clubs” (from 2004 to present) is a project which seeks to promote social inclusion, mental
health and cognitive skills in elderly people, particularly those at risk of social isolation and loneliness,
through singing classes adjusted to meet the needs of different groups. Singing classes are offered to
particular ethnic groups (Punjabi singing classes) and patient groups (classes for Alzheimer patients and
their carers). Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, the project has been evaluated both in
terms of social and health benefits, and cost-effectiveness. The project receives positive responses from
participants, who report physical, mental and social benefits. For this reason, “Silver Song Club” received
the “Award for Volunteering Excellence” in 2007, and has also received noteworthy media attention.
More information is available at:
http://www.healthproelderly.com/database/plists/singleview/57
24. A City for all Ages – Today & Tomorrow
Campaign for and by migrants advocating culturally sensitive services and equal
opportunities
In this project, which was run by the City of Edinburgh Council, older migrants and their representatives
campaigned for equal opportunities and anti-discrimination relating to health care and nursing, mobility
and services close to their homes. Local autonomous migrant organisations, volunteers, service
providers and the municipality worked together within the framework of Edinburgh’s Joint Plan for
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