EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Good Ageing in Lahti Region (GOAL)

Good Ageing in Lahti Region (GOAL)

Introduction

GOAL is a research and development program which aims to improve physical and psychosocial well-being as well as to improve active living among ageing citizens in the Lahti region.

Problem

The aims of the main interventions are:

To initiate preventive measures (e.g. risk status screening, personal and group counselling) in the local community social and health care sector
To facilitate collaboration within different community sectors and between local communities
To create accessible physical environments
To empower citizens to make healthy lifestyle choices

Description

GOAL consists of three parts:

Needs assesment/general program evaluation: a 10 yr cohort study (2002-2012) with a regionally representative sample of approximately 3000 ageing individuals (three different age cohorts).
Community diagnoses (modified "City Health Profile"): selected local results of the cohorts study are combined with statistical data on social conditions and policy documents from each community.
Community-based interventions and specific target programmes: development of policies and practicies, and potential campaings and other actions, are based on needs indentified by the results of the cohort study and community diagnoses.

Approach

Cohort research and interventions and evaluation.

Target group

Aging people in the Lahti region.

Results

Data for the cohort study have been collected twice (years 2002 and 2005). The first community diagnoses were published in 2003. The first intervention was a program for type 2 diabetes prevention, implemented in primary health care settings in cooperation with the local community sports and recreation officers (2003-).

The second intervention started in 2004 with the aim to create a regional model for promoting functional capablity and qualiy of life of home care clients over 70 years old.

Beneficiaries

Ageing people in the region and nationally (also internationally interesting) and administratives in the region.

Resources used

The GOAL collaborating partners include the Päijät-Häme Hospital District, all 15 local communities in the region, and research partners from University of Helsinki (Palmenia Centre for Continuing Education and department of social policy), The National Public Health Institute, The UKK institute for Health Promotion Research and The Lahti Polytechnic. The research partners contribute by research, design and development of the cohort study, interventions, evaluation, education and consultation. The implementation of the interventions is undertaken within the local communities. All these resources have been and still are crucial.

EU involvement

ESF from year 2002 on.

Contact info

University of Helsinki, Palmenia Centre for Continuing Education in Lahti, Finland
Finland
Ms. Raisa Valve, tel. +358 3 892 20205

Project start date

01/01/2002

Links

University of Helsinki, Palmenia Centre for Continuing Education GOAL - Ikihyvä Päijät-Häme

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Quality of life

Keywords

Social services