Tools and Methods for Assessing Active Ageing and Inclusion: The Rima Experimental Project
Tools and Methods for Assessing Active Ageing and Inclusion: The Rima Experimental Project
Lisa Sellaa, Nicola Pollob, Valentina Lamonicaa
aResearch Institute on Sustainable Economic Growth (IRCRES), National Research Council, Italy
bUniversity of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
corresponding author: valentina.lamonica@cnr.it
Abstract
Knowledge on the detrimental effects of sedentary lifestyle have pushed European healthcare systems to experiment with Adapted Physical Activity (APA) interventions for elderly people, to support active aging and to reduce pressure on the national healthcare system. For the elderly, a sedentary lifestyle also has implications in terms of isolation and social exclusion. However, a clear assessment of the multifaceted impact of APA programs is currently lacking.
This paper presents an experimental design for a mixed-method evaluation of the manifold impacts of an APA program developed in collaboration with the Local Health Authority (LHA) of an area in the Piedmont region (Italy), in order to test the effectiveness of the protocol to support active aging. The evaluation design follows a mixed methods strategy, with the twofold objective: to analyze the socio-psychological and physical benefits of the APA protocol, and to develop a cost-benefit analysis to assess the impact on the healthcare system. The final aim of the evaluation is to provide strategic information for planning activities to promote active aging in the LHA and to extend the recommendation of the protocol to regional and national stakeholders.
Keywords: health care system, active ageing, inclusion, Randomized Control Trial, mixed methods.
DOI: 10.23760/2421-7158.2025.004
ISSN (online): 2499-6661
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How to Cite
Sella, L., Pollo, N. & Lamonica, V. (2025). Tools and Methods for Assessing Active Ageing and Inclusion: The Rima Experimental Project (CNR-IRCrES Working Paper 4/2025). Istituto di Ricerca sulla Crescita Economica Sostenibile. http://dx.doi.org/10.23760/2421-7158.2025.004