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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CHARMED (Characterisation Of A Green Microenvironment And To Study Its Impact Upon Health and Well-Being in The Elderly As A Way Forward For Health Tourism.)

Teaser

Summary

â€¢ What is the problem/issue being addressed?
There are two important issues which the CHARMED project will address: a) to create a better understanding of those needs that develop as we grow older with regards to health in the age brackets 45-64 and 65+ people in the context of longevity and quality of life and b) to promote new career and job prospects for young people in Nemi. Both need to coexist in a mutually inclusive relationship if such small communities, where Nemi serves as an example (being dwarfed by the bigger city of Rome), are to prosper more independently from larger cities or towns.

â€¢ Why is it important for society?
Many aspects of human well-being and economic activities rely on ecosystem functions and processes. The water and air quality defines the purity of the environment, the food chain is based on the maintenance of fertile soil and our mental and physical health depends on our interaction and accessibility to green spaces. It is commonly known that the proportion of older people in Europe, and indeed globally, is dramatically increasing and this change is having major implications on global markets. The demographic shift towards the older generation will mean a move towards a different type of consumer with an inevitable change in demand for products and services relating more to health and well-being.

â€¢ What are the overall objectives?
The aim is to deliver a set of integrated and inter-related deliverables where the overall objective is to boost communities so that they become more independent and self-sustainable. To achieve this, we have set ourselves four different phases in the project: a) the CHARACTERISATION of the local community of Nemi, which includes the demographics and anticipating any trends, the businesses, transportation and quality of life (QOL); b) the CORRELATION, where we analyse the relationship between those living in the community and those visiting from the outside, with a special focus on tourists, and to understand how this could be utilised to positively impact everybody; c) the DEVELOPMENT, where we implement urban infrastructure changes, such as landscaping, social & therapeutic horticulture and physical exercise to promoting a theme of wellness and d) perform an ECONOMIC IMPACT analysis, where we will also put in place a strategy to improve the running of local businesses as well as look at new opportunities to create employment and new businesses.

Work performed

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far:

â€¢ WP1: The Baseline
The initiation of two activities have taken place during this first period: a) air, soil and water quality monitoring is currently being performed and b) customized questionnaires have been drawn up to gauge visitor and local opinion of the area. An additional questionnaire on health assessment for the elderly in Nemi has also been prepared.

â€¢ WP2: The Correlation
Secondees from outside of Italy are currently interviewing people in their own homes. The measures comprise physical categories such as ambulation, mobility, body care and movement, as well as psychosocial aspects like social interaction, communication, alertness, emotional behaviour, sleep, rest, food and recreation. A biochemical analysis is currently being prepared including the preparation of cartridges and instrumentation by ATO for the point-of-care biochemical analyser. A wearable sensor watch for monitoring the elderly is likewise also being prepared.

â€¢ WP3: The Development
As part of the makeovers, a number of activities have been put in place this period, done in conjunction with the community and the mayor of Nemi. The information desk was reopened, after having been closed for 5 years, and is manned during both high and low season. This focal point of the commune is used to monitor the type and number of visitors coming to Nemi. Furthermore, a hiking path from the commune to the lake was restored and is now maintained on a regular basis. This coincides with the promotion of physical activites and a number of related events including exercise classes, weekend walking tours and general volunteer maintenance of communal areas (flower beds, wooden seats). Completed deliverables include the following.

â€¢ WP4: The Economics
A short term plan has been produced, which is divided into five subcategories: a) co-operation and strengthening of existing collaborations, b) externally implemented actions, e.g. new employment opportunities, makeover, c) small scale touch-ups, d) addressing tourist needs and e) planning permission or community approved strategic changes to be recommended including re-routing and new parking areas for cars. This current plan will be the basis for a longer term strategic plan to be produced at the end of the project with recommendations for self-sustainability and generating new opportunities leading to better QOL for individuals in the community.

Final results

â€¢ Progress beyond the state of the art:
Firstly, we are implementing wearable devices for the elderly. These are watches with sensors that can monitor the heart rate of the individual, their mobility and their surrounding environment (e.g. room temperature). Secondly, we have a point-of-care diagnostic device with connectivity to health centres and professionals. Basic analytical measurement of lipids and inflammatory markers can be taken at home and relayed to these centres without going to see a doctor. If there are problematic readings, the health professionals can then make a visit to the individual.

â€¢ Expected results until the end of the project:
We anticipate a socio-economic impact of more jobs being created, better career opportunities and more prosperous local business, fueled by recognising tourist visit patterns, where individuals within the community are challenged to maintain and sustain the cultural services of this ecosystem. If this can be achieved through the support of other partners in the consortium through secondments, then novel ideas may be shared and new outlooks are presented. We therefore expect two inter-related key parameters to be attained by the end of this period: a) improved governance, opportunities and self-sustainability and b) better QOL for individuals in the community.

â€¢ Potential impacts including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far
One of the important issues which the CHARMED project has addressed is the better understanding of those needs that develop as we grow older, in a mutually inclusive relationship together with the aspirations of younger people. Both need to coexist if such small communities are to prosper more independently away from larger cities or towns towards self-sutainability. One major impact during this period has been the creation of two new businesses in Nemi, a restaurant and a green taxi company. This meant self employment for two local people and for the restaurant, a further four jobs were created in Nemi.