The European Warehouse of Opportunities was formally launched in Reykjavik on June 26th, at the Conference that marked the end of the Erasmus+ program Catch the BALL (Be Active Through Lifelong Learning). [Read more…] about Erasmus+ Catch the BALL launches The European Warehouse of Opportunities
Leisure & Culture
Les Mamies Guitares: Seven senior non-musicians on stage!
Performing a concert without knowing how to play your instrument is the daring challenge taken up by the seven members of the French musical group “Les Mamies Guitares”, in English “The Grandma Guitars”. Aged 60-75, Arlette, Françoise, Martine, Danièle, Dominique, Agnès and Brigitte performed on June 30, 2018 at the “Festival Bruisme”.
[Read more…] about Les Mamies Guitares: Seven senior non-musicians on stage!
Illectronism: 57% of over 70s are not comfortable with digital formats
A survey regarding Illectronism (Illectornisme in french) conducted by the CSA in France for the Social Press Union in March 2018 reveals that 57% of over people 70-year-old are not comfortable with digital formats.
[Read more…] about Illectronism: 57% of over 70s are not comfortable with digital formats
Dermot Higgins, has cycled into the Guinness Book of Records!
Dermot Higgins at 56 has just become the oldest person to cycle around the globe. Dermot, and his trusty bicycle, Karolina, started their epic journey in June last year and arrived back in his hometown of Rush, Co. Dublin on April 7th after 9 months and 29,000 kilometres of tough cycling over all sorts of terrain in all sorts of weather. [Read more…] about Dermot Higgins, has cycled into the Guinness Book of Records!
Walking football, a perfect exercise for older adults in the UK
The health benefits of playing football and the importance of exercise and social contact for healthy ageing are well established. But sometimes, the physical demands of play at full speed may make it unsustainable for some older adults.
Walking football can be a way of playing football differently. Indeed, it’s enjoyable and moderately demanding and may be an adapted form of exercise for older adults.
[Read more…] about Walking football, a perfect exercise for older adults in the UK
19th of June 2017: 11th European e-Accessibility Forum
The 11th European e-Accessibility Forum will take place on Monday, June 19th, 2017 in Paris.
It seeks to explore the role digital technologies can play in ensuring our cultural landscape is inclusive. How can digital access empower disabled audiences and enable them to become full participants in cultural life?
[Read more…] about 19th of June 2017: 11th European e-Accessibility Forum
Video games, a second youth for elderly people
Many studies suggest, that using our brain regularly, while playing video games or serious games, allows “to limit the time’s effects”.
[Read more…] about Video games, a second youth for elderly people
A 85-year-old care home resident with dementia learns violin
A 85-years-old woman living with dementia has learnt to play the violin and has taken part in her first live concert with a local community group.
[Read more…] about A 85-year-old care home resident with dementia learns violin
Photography : ‘Strength for life’, capturing later life around the world
An exhibition organised jointly by UK-based charity Age International and The Guardian is taking place in Trafalgar Square, London; it begun on September 29th and will go on until October 31st. [Read more…] about Photography : ‘Strength for life’, capturing later life around the world
21st century Tokyo : Discover the lives of elders through the lens
How do the elderly live in 21st century Tokyo? Lee Chapman set out to find out and capture daily moments in the lives of Japan’s oldest city-dwellers.
[Read more…] about 21st century Tokyo : Discover the lives of elders through the lens
Meet Julie Brougham, the oldest competing athlete in Rio’s Olympic Games
New Zealand athlete Julie Brougham is the oldest competing athlete in Rio’s Olympic Games ; the 62-year-old rider competed in the individual dressage trial on August 12th.
[Read more…] about Meet Julie Brougham, the oldest competing athlete in Rio’s Olympic Games
Senior actresses are on a roll
The archetype of the affable old lady with barely enough screen time to pat grandchildren’s heads seems to have run its course. A new generation of successful senior actresses prove that when it comes to acting, nothing substitutes experience. [Read more…] about Senior actresses are on a roll
Photo contest reveals beautiful ageing
Online photography community Photocrowd.com has presented the results of an international photo contest on the theme of ‘Ageing: the bigger picture‘ in partnership with the British Society of Gerontology (BSG), with £3600 (approximately $5400 USD) in cash prizes awarded.
The contest brief encouraged photographers to look beyond clichés and show a more nuanced approach to the subject. Over 1200 images were submitted from photographers all over the world.
[Read more…] about Photo contest reveals beautiful ageing
Silver Surfers : what EU countries account for the largest number of connected seniors?
On the 1st of October, 2015, Eurostat published the 2014 demographic indicators for the elderly who live in the European Union.
The use of the Internet by elderly people was one of the criteria Eurostat was interested in. European seniors still do not use the Internet as much as the rest of the population; however, Eurostat noted that northern European countries accounted for the largest number of “Silver Surfers”.
There are 1 billion daily users on Facebook among whom more elderly people than ever
Facebook is the most popular social network on the planet. On Monday, 24th, one billion active users were accounted for on the website. Facebook’s creator Mark Zuckerberg wrote that “On Monday, 1 in 7 people on Earth used Facebook to connect with their friends and family”.
In June, 2015, about 1.49 billion people in the world were registered on Facebook; 65% of them use the network daily.
France: the city of Lyon hosted the 2015 World Masters Athletics Championships
For the first time in France, the WMAC took place in the city of Lyon from August, 7th to August 16th, 2015. It welcomed athletes aged from 35 up to 98 years old. [Read more…] about France: the city of Lyon hosted the 2015 World Masters Athletics Championships
Going to church, to the mosque or to the synagogue has a good influence on the mental health of the elderly
According to a study conducted by Dutch and British researchers from Erasmus MC and the London School of Economics, attending a worship place may be a factor for “sustained happiness”.
Age is not an obstacle to break records and make dreams come true
Our baby-boomers are full of energy despite popular belief. Here are a few examples of super seniors who marked our news and who show that ageing does not mean the end of your life. [Read more…] about Age is not an obstacle to break records and make dreams come true
Fashion and Silver Economy: Are seniors in?
Seniors are trendy, as recent fashion houses’ advertising campaigns show: Céline, Saint Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana and Marc Jacobs, among others, feature elderly women for their advertising campaigns, and this trend seems to keep growing. [Read more…] about Fashion and Silver Economy: Are seniors in?
How would we look like in our 70s?
Is it possible to project ourselves into the future and take a glimpse of what we would look like with grey hair and marked wrinkles? Cut Video, along with Field Day makes this possible for a young couple. They are ageing together in a several-hour-long project which will tear you up and which really caught the attention of the SilverEco.eu staff. We loved it, we share it! [Read more…] about How would we look like in our 70s?
Grace and Frankie: a TV series with and for the elderly
A new TV series has been available on Netflix since last May: the casting is composed by actors in their seventies. It is about Grace and Frankie, where the starring characters are performed by Jane Fonda, 77 years-old and Lily Tomlin, 75. [Read more…] about Grace and Frankie: a TV series with and for the elderly
Is your website Granny approved?
Is you website user-friendly? Scotty Allen and Richard Littauer both come from America and have launched the service “The User is my Mom“.
Some websites may indeed seem easy to use for web professionals and experienced Internet users, but it may not be the case for beginners, among whom many are over 50. Therefore, Allen suggests to professionals and developers to have their website reviewed by his mother. [Read more…] about Is your website Granny approved?
Real-Estate and Tourism: from June, 5th to 7th, 2015, Portugal is organising an exhibition in Paris
More than one French retiree out of ten spends his old days in foreign countries : for many of them, Portugal is a favourite destination.
[Read more…] about Real-Estate and Tourism: from June, 5th to 7th, 2015, Portugal is organising an exhibition in Paris
A centenarian woman won a world record during a swimming competition
On April 5th, 2015, during an elderly people’s swimming competition that took place in the city of Ehime, the Japanese centenarian Mieko Nagaoka beat the world record during a 1.500 meters swimming course.
[Read more…] about A centenarian woman won a world record during a swimming competition
Operation “Elderlies on holidays”: the Valencian’s retirees will go on holidays in June.
On Thursday, April 16th, the City of Valencia, its Community Centre for Social Action and the ANCV (National Agency for holiday vouchers ) presented the operation “Elderlies on Holidays”, which aims at facilitating holiday departures for pensioners over 60 years old. [Read more…] about Operation “Elderlies on holidays”: the Valencian’s retirees will go on holidays in June.
Spain: a project to make theaters more accessible
Accessible Theatre is a project led by Vodafone Spain Foundation, Aptent Soulutions and the Psychiatrical Association New Life. It aims to make theaters more accessible by creating a special adapted environment for all, especially for people with visual or hearing impairments.The program started in December 2011 and ever since, more than 100 theatre plays have been adapted.
Accessible Theatre presents the first edition of the festival “I’m going to the theatre” : #yovoyalteatro
[Read more…] about Spain: a project to make theaters more accessible
Painting, drawing or sculpting could prevent dementia
According to a study led by several American researchers from Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, practicing an artistic activity on a regular basis stimulates cognitive faculties and locomotion. More precisely, 73% of the elderly who practice leisures like painting, drawing or sculpting are less likely to develop dementia. [Read more…] about Painting, drawing or sculpting could prevent dementia
Trips and Entertainment for the Elderly
When speaking about entertainment, we all have different tastes, so making a complete list of ideal gifts for the elderly would be impossible. Nevertheless, we have pointed out some “fun” ideas for you to get for your elder relatives: a dedicated holiday, a TV handset or even an E-Reader for the cosy ones. [Read more…] about Trips and Entertainment for the Elderly
The portion of seniors on Facebook has increased by 80% in 3 years
While the youngest now prefer networks like Snapchat to Facebook, the proportion of Facebook users over 55 years old has reached 15,6% with their specific uses of social networks.
[Read more…] about The portion of seniors on Facebook has increased by 80% in 3 years
Aeticom study: “The use of the Internet by people over 60 years old”
Seniors are getting more connected: still, a 2014 study from Doro revealed a large portion of them wished to be assisted to use the Internet and new technologies. Aeticom took an interest into the different ways seniors use the Internet. Here follows a summary of their 2014 study called “The use of the Internet by people over 60 years old”.
[Read more…] about Aeticom study: “The use of the Internet by people over 60 years old”
Doro study: “Are French elders as connected as their European neighbors?”
In November 2014, Doro, a global leader in telecom for seniors, has released a study conducted in 4 European countries (United Kingdom, France, Germany and Sweden) on 1600 people over 60 years old. The study focuses on the connectivity of French seniors compared to their neighbors’.
[Read more…] about Doro study: “Are French elders as connected as their European neighbors?”
The trend of senior fashion models
Are senior fashion stars the new trend? At the beginning of year 2015, two new brands took the leap: for its latest campaign, Céline chose to cast the 80-year-old writer and journalist Joan Didion. Meanwhile, the 71-year-old folk singer Joni Mitchell became a model for Saint Laurent. There have been several other senior models these past few years.
Does art improve your health?
Research suggests art could improve older people’s health on several levels: cognitive functions, memory, sense of well-being, stress, etc. Art and health institutes alike are pushing for more answers and developing programs targeted to older people to help them improve their life through art. [Read more…] about Does art improve your health?
Using the Internet makes the elderly healthier
“Silver surfers” who use the Internet on a regular basis have better health practices according to recent research from University College London.
[Read more…] about Using the Internet makes the elderly healthier
Are elderly people the future “typical” player?
Video games are a global cultural practice. They are no longer exclusive to teenage boys – if they ever were. They are also no longer targeted to a niche market, as they offer a wide range of products for different kinds of gamers. A study from Super Data Research reveals that the gamer demographics are quite diverse: 1 player out of 2 is a woman while, overall, gamers are getting older. They also have different game preferences according to their profile.
In a near future, game developers may benefit a great deal from creating games specifically meant for elder gamers who have grown up with videogames.
[Read more…] about Are elderly people the future “typical” player?
Older people and sex in the Internet age
In June 2014, the British television station Channel 4 news has made a coverage of topics about sexuality and the elderly at the age of the Internet. The taboo that surrounds elder people’s sexuality remains strong. Contrary to popular belief, sexuality isn’t limited to youth, which is what Channel 4 news wished to prove by investigating sexuality and sexual practices for the elderly in Great Britain. [Read more…] about Older people and sex in the Internet age
Diagnosing glaucoma thanks to our television habits
Researchers at the City University of London published a study which reveals that one of the main causes of blindness on an international level could be detected by tracking how our eyes work in front of a television. The study was funded by the Fight for Sight charity.
[Read more…] about Diagnosing glaucoma thanks to our television habits
To treat depression for the elderly, video games are more efficient than medicine
According to a Chinese American study published in Nature Communications, video games are likely to reduce states of depression for the elderly. The results of the clinical tests was conducted on a group of elderly people from 60 to 89 years old on whom antidepressant had no positive effects. Their state improved after spending time playing video games that were developed to improve the brain’s abilities. [Read more…] about To treat depression for the elderly, video games are more efficient than medicine
A seventy five years old breaks three cycling world records
Jim Turner is a 75 years old American cyclist who broke a record in Mexico in late July browsing 38.494 kilometers in an hour, before beating two other records.
[Read more…] about A seventy five years old breaks three cycling world records
Elderly people try the Google Glass !
On this episode of “Elders React”, a famous web series , the Fine Brothers Benny and Rafi asked a group of senior citizens to try the Google Glass. Watch their reactions. [Read more…] about Elderly people try the Google Glass !
ALZ : an experimental game to immerse in the daily life of an Alzheimer’s patient
ALZ is a poetic and touching experimental game conceived by Dylan NG that can slip into shoes of an Alzheimer’s patient.
By moving a faceless character with the keyboard arrow, you find yourself immersed for a few minutes in the daily difficulties of the disease.
[Read more…] about ALZ : an experimental game to immerse in the daily life of an Alzheimer’s patient
