Korian Medica : Status of Korian Institute of Aging Well studies

Each year, the Korian Institute of Aging Well carries out studies on issues based around Aging Well, in order to develop knowledge about the challenges of aging and to change our view of elderly people.

The results of these studies are made available to the general public, the scientific community and all participants working in this area, in both the private and public sectors.

The Institute has a dual goal:

• to facilitate awareness in public opinion about the realities of aging;
• to reinforce knowledge about the challenges involved in Aging Well, to serve general interests.

This article provides an update on various studies carried out by the Korian Institute of Aging Well with two main focuses, which are:

• changing our view of elderly people;
• increasing knowledge about the challenges of Aging Well.

Changing our view of elderly people

- The Best Words to Say
Which words should we use or not use to change our view on elderly people?
Partner: Médiascopie.

- A European barometer on elderly people today

For its third edition, the Korian Institute of Aging Well European Barometer provides an exclusive perspective on 'elderly people today' in 4 European countries (France, Germany, Belgium and Italy).
Partner: Ipsos.

- Impact of care workers wearing civilian clothing in retirement homes
What impact does the wearing of civilian clothes have on the nature and quality of exchanges between care workers, residents and families?
Partner: Université François Rabelais in Tours.

- Intergenerational volunteering
Carrying out an overview of volunteer actions in retirement homes, identifying hindrances and incentives.
Partner: France Bénévolat.

Enriching our knowledge of the challenges of Aging Well

- 'Silver Geek' project
A collective bringing together companies, public figures and not-for-profits around the subject of digital solidarity for the elderly.
Goal: Evaluate the impact of digital games on health (video games for training and fitness).
18 pilot Korian establishment.

- The Flash activity trolleyin response to acute behavioral problems

This allows the attention to be deflected from a negative stimulus, a source of anxiety, using a recreational stimulation, allowing the easing of behavioral problems in a person suffering with Alzheimer's disease or similar condition.
Goal of the study: evaluate the taking up of this new practice by the care teams, families, measuring the impact on residents.
25 pilot retirement homes.

- The proper use of medication in retirement homes
Goal: To reduce medicinal interactions and to improve the practices surrounding prescriptions, especially of anticholinergics.
13,000 residents / 110 pilot retirement homes.

- LEDEN study

Goal of the study: To determine if physical activity is an effective therapeutic approach to prevent functional decline in elderly people living in retirement homes and suffering with cognitive impairments.
Partners: Toulouse Gérontopôle (Professor Yves Rolland's team) and the Association Siel Bleu.
140 volunteer residents in 8 retirement homes.

- Early identification of fragility in SSR(rehabilitation and recuperative care facilities)

Goal: To use a stay in rehabilitation and recuperative care facilities to check the patient's overall health condition and identify any risk of fragility or deficiency, using questionnaires.
Partner: Toulouse Gérontopôle (Professor Yves Rolland's team).

- Use ofTelemedicine in retirement homes
Study on the hindrances and incentives for its use in retirement homes.
Partner: Télécom Bretagne.

The results of these studies will be published from 2017 on the IBV website.

In conclusion...

Philippe Denormandie, Chief Executive of the Korian Institute of Aging Well: 'The studies carried out by the Korian Institute of Aging Well combine research in society to address these subjects in society and change views on aging and applied research to continuously improve daily life for elderly people, their families and their carers'.