Innovative solutions for senior independence
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB - Jordbruk och Livsmedel, Göteborg |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 6 494 480 |
| Project duration | April 2019 - August 2023 |
| Status | Completed |
Important results from the project
Goal: Independence of active, pre-frail and frail older citizens by innovative food, application of novel sensors and physical exercise. Outcome For active seniors: Proven retained activity through physical and oral exercise, good eating habits and social interaction. For pre-frail seniors: Proven improved health through safe and nutritious food, exercise and social interaction. For frail seniors: Improved health through safe texture-modified food and home 3D printing. Application of new monitoring system for swallowing and balance.
Expected long term effects
The intervention program for improving oral strength has been developed already been implemented at community level in one hundred municipalities in Japan and is reducing oral frailty on a large scale. The Swedish frailty program has proven effects and is ready for implementation in regions and municipalities. The Judo4Balance program is implemented all over Sweden. Improved texture-modified food is on the market and formulations for 3D-printing are developed. The GOKURI swallowing sensor is being implemented in health care in Japan.
Approach and implementation
The project was a cooperation between Sweden and Japan and involved academia, institutes and industry. The project was led by two closely cooperating project leaders, in Sweden and Japan. All participants met twice per year (on-line during covid) to ensure good communication and close collaboration. Activities included participants from both countries and from academia to industry. Internal communication was facilitated by a joint Dropbox folder. Results and news were disseminated through the project web pages, goindependent.eu, goindependent.jp, and social media.