Population ageing is one of the greatest societal challenges of our time and is increasingly affecting Amsterdam as well. During the 23rd IAGG World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics in July, the Smarthouse Experience will temporarily open, allowing Amsterdam residents to discover how technology can help them stay healthy, active and independent for longer.
Visitors can also take part in an ageing experiment, in which they meet their ‘older self’.
The IAGG Congress takes place 5-8 July at RAI Amsterdam and is organised by the Dutch Society for Gerontology, the Netherlands Clinical Geriatrics Society, the Professional Organisation of Nurse Practitioners in Geriatrics and Gerontology, and Congress Care. Together, they aim to raise awareness about healthy ageing.
According to research by the Municipality of Amsterdam, the number of older residents will increase rapidly in the coming years. By 2050, nearly 20% of Amsterdam residents are expected to be aged 65 or older. The group aged 75 to 84 is projected to grow by as much as 56%. At the same time, older people are living independently for longer, often alone, while 60% of those aged 65 and over live in homes with stairs or other physical barriers.
Amsterdam is actively working to address these challenges. In 2015, the city joined the WHO Age‑Friendly Cities network.
“At the IAGG Congress, the central question is: how can we ensure that people live longer, healthier, more active and independent lives in their own neighbourhood or city?” says Dr Geeske Peeters, senior researcher at Radboudumc. “Healthy ageing is not only about preventing illness, but also about maintaining quality of life, independence and social connection. By bringing together science, practice and innovation, we can inspire people to take steps today towards their health tomorrow.”
Around the congress, amsterdam&partners has developed the impact programme ‘Ageing independently in your own environment’ together with care, knowledge and social partners.
“Having the global leaders in gerontology here gives Amsterdam the opportunity to exchange knowledge, build new partnerships and further strengthen our approach to healthy and independent ageing,” says Dennis Speet, managing director of the Amsterdam Convention Bureau at amsterdam&partners. “Through four public activities in the impact programme around the RAI, we ensure that this knowledge does not remain within the walls of the congress, but becomes directly accessible to Amsterdam residents.”
On 6 and 7 July, a dedicated space will be created at ROC van Amsterdam-Flevoland, located at Europaboulevard 13, showcasing how technology can contribute to healthy and active ageing. Through the SmartHouse Experience, visitors will gain an interactive insight into a range of innovations in healthcare and wellbeing, including an activity that combines gaming and physical exercise, and a product that uses light, sound and music to encourage movement. These applications demonstrate how future professionals are being trained to use technology to help people stay active and live healthier lives for longer.
In addition, on 7 July, Leyden Academy is organising an activity where visitors meet their future selves: using an ageing filter, they can see what they might look like later in life, calculate their life expectancy and dance while wearing an ageing suit. This activity takes place in front of entrance C of the RAI.
More than 3,000 scientists, policymakers and healthcare professionals from around the world are expected to attend the IAGG Congress in Amsterdam to share knowledge on healthy ageing.
