"It's a myth that older people can't change or improve"

"It's really a myth that older people can't change or can't improve,” says Canan Ziylan, Senior Researcher at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. “And we want to show them that they are able to change. And it doesn't have to be like a large change from their daily life. But with small changes, you can have an effect'.

This is the essence of the NESTORE project and the main aim of its partners’ work, a diverse consortium of 16 partners across 8 European countries. "We know that lots of illnesses and diseases in our societies now are preventable with lifestyle and with interventions that are not that invasive but are really effective in the long run”, Canan said.

At the core of the NESTORE system is its user-centredness. In the words of its coordinator, Prof. Andreoni from Politecnico di Milano: "What makes an effective and successful technological solution for promoting a good lifestyle for people over-65 is ease of use. Ease of use and the fact that these objects can be inserted into everyday things. This ensures that there is a high acceptance of these objects and therefore people really participate with the approach. The other aspect is that these coaching systems do not touch very high elements, but touch elements of the user's daily life that are sometimes very simple and sometimes obvious but that are precisely those that make the difference in a full acceptance of prevention strategies".

More information on the Euronews channel:

“It is a myth that older people can’t change and improve”: https://www.euronews.com/2020/10/26/it-s-a-myth-that-older-people-can-t-change-or-improve-says-wellness-researcher

“Nestore, the new personal coach to keep you fit in mind, body and soul”: https://www.euronews.com/2020/10/26/new-personal-coaching-device-offers-holistic-approach-to-staying-healthy-as-we-age