The third transnational workshop of the AGELESS project by Hospitality Europe, the liaison office and representation of the hospitals and socio-health centers of the Order of St. John of God and the Sisters Hospitallers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, was held on May 24th and 25th in Madeira, Portugal.

The Ageless project focuses on frail individuals – those with disabilities or neurocognitive impairments – who are more exposed to the risk of premature aging, resulting in psycho-physical deterioration and chronic diseases. The project has been funded by the European Commission, following the approval of the corresponding proposal by the “Hospitality Europe” office in Brussels.

The workshop in Madeira was organized by the rehabilitation center of the Sisters Hospitallers in Funchal and involved the participation of other project partners, including the Socio-Health Center Pai Menni in Betanzos (Spain) and the Santa Germana Center in Paris, both belonging to the Sisters Hospitallers, as well as the sports center for disabled individuals of the Order in Gijón and the Lecourbe Medical and Social Center in Paris.

During the meeting, the centers shared methodologies aimed at improving the role of healthcare providers, sports instructors, and family members in motivating fragile or vulnerable individuals to engage in regular physical activities. The event included delegations from each project partner, experts, and local athletes such as the Regional Integrated Care Network (REDE), the sports club ‘Os especiais,’ and an interesting testimony from Portuguese Paralympic athlete Felipe Rebelo.

The workshop concluded with a visit to the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center of the Sacred Family of the Hospitaller Sisters. The outcomes of the workshop will be integrated into the final project document titled “Protocol for Physical Activity against Premature Aging.”

For more information about the Ageless project, please visit the website: https://irmashospitaleiras.pt/agelesspt/