Enhancing Muscle Power in Geriatric Rehabilitation
The number of people over 60 will triple in the next 30 years. Chronological age increase is related to a study of disease burden, loss of independence, hospital admissions and associated related risks that can lead to a downward spiral of accelerated decline in health and demanded independence. The main focus is sarcopenia or age-related decrease in muscle mass and function. Sarcopenia can be slowed down by a combination of targeted training and an optimal protein name. However, a lack of knowledge and awareness of sarcopenia among healthcare professionals, the elderly and patients leads to under-diagnosis. Geriatric rehabilitation as the phase after hospital admission is aimed for, to allow risk patients to return home independently, which is an excellent opportunity to treat sarcopenia in a targeted manner and thus to achieve additional health benefits.
The strategic EMPOWER-GR consortium consists of experts from the VU, Amsterdam UMC, Cordaan (geriatric rehabilitation center) and Nutricia Research Utrecht. The aim of the consortium is to:
- Understand. Mapping and understanding of barriers and opportunities with patients, relatives and healthcare professionals in diagnostics, prevention and treatment of sarcopenia in geriatric rehabilitation through a mix of quantitative and qualitative research.
- Intervene. Evaluating the applicability of a targeted training-nutrition intervention for sarcopenia in geriatric rehabilitation.
- Share. Sharing knowledge about recognising, treating and preventing sarcopenia with participants, patients, loved ones and healthcare professionals via website and social media. The results of this project are of great importance for testing and raising awareness of sarcopenia by the elderly and healthcare professionals in general. This project offers excellent scientific, socio-economic and business opportunities for tackling one of the greatest health challenges of the current years.
This project offers excellent scientific, socio-economic and business opportunities for tackling one of the greatest health challenges of the coming years.
