In 2019 the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared 2020-2030 the decade of Healthy Ageing. By 2050, it is projected that one in four people in the UK will be aged 65 years and over, currently 18% of the UK population is over 65.
The likelihood of experiencing multiple chronic and complex health conditions among those aged 65 years and over increases with age, therefore it is necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of our health and social care sectors.
SHAPES highlights future avenues to respond to this challenge:
- User led digital solutions centred around the home and community
- Focus on improving health, wellbeing and independence
- Empowering older people.
SHAPES will be delivered by an EU wide interdisciplinary consortium with blended expertise.
The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is involved in piloting digital solutions in the community to assess their impact on medication control and optimisation.
SHAPES provides opportunities to:
- Build systems that centre around individuals living in their own communities
- Contribute to forward looking public health policy – enabling prevention and improved management of health conditions.
Solutions such as SHAPES will contribute to improve the management of future global health crises.