Prolepsis presented its program on prevention for elderly people in a Pan-Hellenic Conference on lifelong learning

The Institute of Preventive Medicine, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Prolepsis, presented its recent actions to promote health for elderly people during a symposium held on Friday, November 9, 2012, regarding prevention for elderly people. The symposium was part of the 2nd Pan-Hellenic Conference “Parents' Schools” entitled “The Family … trained for life”, organized by the Foundation for Youth and Lifelong Learning of the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs, Culture and Sports, in Athens.

Since March 2012, Prolepsis has organized informational events for the prevention of accidents at home for elderly people at Municipal Day Care Centres for the Elderly, in various municipalities of Attica. Eight events have been organized, while 2 more are scheduled to take place until the end of 2012. Members of the scientific team of the Institute, who have contributed to the program, were the main speakers of the symposium while Prof Athena Linos, Honorary President of Prolepsis, was the coordinator.  

More specifically, Ms. Elena Dimitrakopoulou, responsible for the events organized, noted the rapid pace of population ageing, both in Greece and in Europe, and spoke about the need for healthy ageing. She, then, presented in detail the informational events carried out by Prolepsis that aim at health promotion for elderly people. The events, held at Municipal Day Care Centres for the Elderly, in various municipalities of Attica, are based on the methodology and use the training material that has been developed within the European project “Alpha-to-Omega – New Pathways Towards Volunteering and Life Learning for Senior European Citizens”, in which Prolepsis Institute participated as a partner. The events include presentations, with the use of images and examples, that focus on identifying high risk areas of a household and the main factors that can cause accidents at home. Useful advice is also provided regarding safer household arrangements in order to prevent possible accidents. “The main objective of the events is not only to inform elderly people, but also to help them develop competencies and skills that will facilitate the long-term adoption of healthy behaviors and attitudes”, Ms. Dimitrakopoulou mentioned.  

Dr. John Polychronakis, occupational physician, presented statistical data regarding the large proportion of accidents of elderly people at home and their serious consequences, hence explaining why the project “Alpha-to-Omega” focused on this subject. He, then, briefly presented the methods and material that is being used during the events. “The educational material is especially designed and developed for older people and their learning needs. The use of simple language, images and examples helps seniors to better understand and gain more insights on this issue", noted Dr. Polychronakis.

Finally, Dr. Elena Riza, epidemiologist, talked about the proper use of medications, which is the second module for which teaching methodology and educational material was developed within the project "Alpha-to-Omega". Dr. Riza underlined the alarming rates of older people who make errors regarding their medication, a problem which may even lead to hospitalizations. She presented the material that has been developed and designed to provide information and enhance knowledge about the most common problems of using pharmaceutical drugs. "This material helps us provide practical advice on avoiding the misuse of drugs”, noted Dr. Riza, who also stressed that the material demonstrates effective ways of how to benefit from the cooperation between elderly people and health professionals concerning safe use of medications.