The Asti area is among the oldest in Piedmont: 27.5% of the population is over 65 years old, exceeding the already high regional average. With advanced age, chronic pathologies, loss of autonomy and the risk of social isolation increase, all factors that have a heavy impact on the quality of life and sustainability of the health system.
Loneliness, in particular, is recognized as a major cause of depression and cognitive impairment in older adults. In this scenario, it becomes essential to intervene with prevention and inclusion actions that strengthen mental health and community networks.
What the project involves
The Memory Gyms are spaces dedicated to cognitive stimulation and socialization activities for groups of approximately 20 over 65 years old, coordinated by specially trained volunteers supervised by neuropsychologists from the ASL of Asti.
The meetings, on a weekly basis, include exercises to train memory, attention, language and orientation, together with recreational activities such as games, artistic workshops, music, reading and movement. A fundamental role is played by family and community nurses, who support volunteers in promoting correct lifestyles, thus contributing to the prevention of dementia and chronic diseases.
The initiative is based on principles of inclusion, active participation and sustainability: the volunteers themselves, largely retired, become protagonists and beneficiaries, stimulated by design and management activities. Gyms represent a community action that values local resources and strengthens social cohesion, creating a model that can be replicated in other contexts.
The beneficiaries
The project is aimed at people over 65 residing in participating municipalities, who will be involved through weekly two-hour meetings.
The indirect beneficiaries are the volunteers themselves, who thanks to training and commitment to activities receive cognitive and relational stimuli, as well as finding an active role in the community.
There are 10 municipalities that have joined the project being launched: Asti, Bubbio, Calliano, Canelli, Montechiaro, Montemagno, Refrancore, Revigliasco, Rocca d'Arazzo and Villafranca.
An initial involvement of approximately 260 people including elderly people and volunteers is estimated in the first year of the trial.
Project name: PALESTRE DELLA MEMORIA
Proposing organisation: FONDAZIONE ASTIGIANA PER LA SALUTE DEL TERRITORIO
Area of intervention: Health & Welfare
Country: Italy