WHOLE - Wellbeing and Healthy Choices for Older Adults and Their Caregivers - A Presentation of a Project Funded by the European Commission 2015-1-DE02-KA204-002418 Erasmus+

Active ageing is one of the biggest social challenges of the 21st century for European societies. One of its main objectives is to manage functional decline and frailty through a targeted intervention in physical fitness.

WHOLE`s main objective was to promote active and healthy ageing through physical activity and healthy nutrition for frail seniors and older people at home using the personalized home care services provided to them by formal and informal caregivers. At the same time, WHOLE equally emphasized the effects of physical activity and healthy nutrition on the wellbeing and relief of formal, and especially informal, caregivers. WHOLE’s specific objective was to develop a basic e-learning platform where interested caregivers, social organizations and social care professionals will have the opportunity to network and be trained on-line. They are trained to implement physical activity as an integral part of the home care services they provide. Additionally, WHOLE aims to aid in the overall prevention of functional decline and frailty among older people.

The project consortium consists of representatives from agencies and universities from Germany, Austria, Greece, Bulgaria, Ireland and Israel, and all materials in the platform are available in the following languages: English, German, Hebrew, Bulgarian and Greek (www.project-whole.com).

The exercise program includes six main modules: Warming-up the Joints, Aerobic Exercises (enhancing the cardiorespiratory system), Upper Body Exercises (enhancing strength and flexibility in the upper body), Lower Body Exercises (enhancing strength and flexibility in the lower body), Balance & Coordination (enhancing static and dynamic postural stability and preventing falls), Exercising Together (enhancing strength and flexibility while working together). Users are guided to tailor their training classes combining exercises from each of the six modules in each class. Safety guidelines and detailed explanations are also provided.

The exercise program is presented in the e-learning platform in a friendly manner including pictures and videos of the exercises. The platform will be demonstrated and practiced during the lecture, in addition to some scientific background.