How to keep a region, where more and more elderly people reside and young people leave, vital? That is the main question for the researchers of the InterReg VA Deutschland-Nederland programme within the Vital Regions project. The name of the programme already indicates that it concerns an interregional cooperation between various universities op applied sciences and small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). "A vital region knows no boundaries”, nods project leader Piet Alberts.
Healthy ageing, longer independent living, demographic ageing and dejuvenation. These are all recurring themes. The objective of the InterReg VA-project is to transfer these issues into specific product and process innovations to keep the region vital. “The practical approach is pivotal in this project”, stresses project leader Piet Alberts. "We develop and test new products to market them. From a fitness bed to a mole game.”
Mole Game
The mole game is one of the products that has already been introduced and that is in full use. “The goal is to kick the mole back into the ground”, Pieter briefly explains the game. “We mainly use it to keep the elderly vital. With this game, they imperceptibly train their leg muscles and coordination. This is essential for the prevention of falling, without mentioning this as such. That is the strength of our products: the ultimate purpose is hidden in a game or a product that is inviting to use.”
This points out an important focus point in the development of new products and innovations for a vital region. “We learned that people do not want ‘health care products’. Take, for example the large white support brackets in bathrooms. Many elderly people postpone the installation of those brackets as long as possible, as they remind them each and every day that they are becoming less mobile. But what if you transform the toilet roll holder or the shower bar into a supporting feature, without it showing. Then you have a health care product with a luxury look and it suddenly becomes ‘comfort’. And everyone wants comfort.”
Health Care Can Be Sexy
All products that the fourteen Dutch and German SME develop together with students, teachers and researchers of Jade University of Applied Sciences in Oldenburg, Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, Hanze University of Applied Sciences and NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences contain this element of comfort. “Take a look at the smart beds”, Piet mentions as an example. “A smart bed provides a large part of the autonomy to someone who is confided to bed, because the bed can be remote-controlled and because it contains smart products”.
From a coffee maker to a microwave: you name it and it will be included. Instead of a boring hospital bed, the manufacturers deliberately choose the surprising alternative. A romantic canopy bed, a fitness bed or a retro vintage bed: comfort and styling are key. "The purpose is to enhance the self-reliance of the owner as much as possible, but in a stylish way”, nods Piet. “The smart bed is proof that health care can indeed be rather sexy”.
Smart High Tech Solutions
Besides smart products, the participants also invest in high-tech innovative solutions. In this respect, domotics will play an ever bigger role, the researchers expect. In order to test in practice which solutions do and do not work, a number of model homes is spread across Germany and The Netherlands. “The model home in Gieten is a nice example”, says Piet. “We have rebuilt this house to a home of the future in cooperation with a housing corporation. Camera’s register who is at the door, visitors are welcomed in at the touch of a button. Curtains or lighting is also operated at the touch of a button. Health care disguised as comfort."
A second example of an innovative digital product is the Whapp-app. "Whapp stands for the ‘we help app’”, Piet explains. "With this app, you will be able to find people in your own neighbourhood to help you out with activities you are no longer able to do yourself, such as gardening. But also activities to avoid loneliness, such as an outing or a cosy puzzling session. Whapp is similar to Tinder, but for a different kind of social contact”, Piet says, laughing.
Setting Movement in Motion
The project leader is most proud of the fact that various products are already available by now and that they are applied in health care. “That is our ultimate goal”, he emphasises. “We want to develop innovative products that make a difference in day-to-day life. I notice that the involved entrepreneurs are much better able to find each other by now, which leads to new ideas and products. That is the higher mission of the InterReg VA project: setting a vital movement in motion that is unstoppable, also after this project has ended.”
