healthy and active ageing - EuroHealthNet's Healthy Ageing Website

28. Healthy ageing among Arabic speaking immigrants in Stockholm
Strengthening older migrants by providing support, advice and a space for social
engagement
The Syrian Association in Stockholm is currently implementing an innovative health project with
older Arabic speaking migrants. The project supports migrants with healthcare issues, and provides
health information and advice as well as physical activity (and other health-related) courses. Besides
improving the health of migrants, the project seeks to empower them by providing them with tools to
integrate into the Swedish society, thus promoting social inclusion. The project is funded by the City
Council of Stockholm, but has been initiated and developed by the Syrian Association. The association
has two Arabic speaking employees connected to project, and involves approximately 70 older people
ranging from 55-80 years of age. The project is currently undergoing evaluation by the Gerontology
Research Centre; preliminary qualitative evaluation results (based on interviews with users) indicate
that the project has been very successful so far.
Thesis report: Syriska föreningens hälsoprojekt – för arabspråkiga äldre. http://mdh.diva-portal.org/
smash/get/diva2:325221/FULLTEXT01 [in Swedish].
29. Active Ageing! Investment in the health of older people
Promoting awareness and social inclusion of older migrants through counseling
activities
This WHO demonstration project in Vienna (2002-2005) focused on health promotion and the social
inclusion of isolated older people, with a special focus on socio-economically deprived districts, older
migrants and older people with a recent critical life-event (retirement, widowhood, bereavement).
During the course of the project older people received counseling and home visits on a regular basis
over an extended period of time. Brochures for older migrants called “Health Markers” were also
developed with information on health services. These were translated into Turkish and Serbo-Croatian.
More information is available at:
http://www.healthproelderly.com/database/plists/singleview/82
30. The Service and Solidarity Self-management Association (AUSER)
Promoting intercultural solidarity through meetings, seminars and education activities
This Italian project promotes social inclusion and solidarity through the interactions of older people
and immigrants in intercultural meetings and regional seminars. Meetings between older people and
their families and the families of immigrants were organised with the aim of overcoming stereotypes
and building intercultural awareness and exchange. Evaluation showed increased self-esteem and
awareness of those taking part, and a reduction of anxiety due to fear based on racial stereotypes. The
project also led to improved communication and linkages across ethnic groups within the community,
and greater openness and readiness to talk about “diversity” in society.
More information is available at:
http://www1.auser.it/IT/HomePage
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