Swiss social startup brings solutions to support China’s ageing population

The Vaud based social startup EasyCare Academy and China Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics (CAGG), a non-profit nationwide social organization engaged in gerontology and geriatrics research, have formed a Sino-Swiss Innovation partnership to introduce the latest international standards for geriatric needs assessment & talent development in China.

The cooperation will also include all levels of caregiver training, as well as other offerings from EasyCare Academy, that support healthy ageing with dignity. A panel discussion at the Swiss Embassy in China titled, “Improving the Alignment of Health and Care to Change the Future of Ageing – a Sino-Swiss Innovation Project” was held on the occasion of the partnership announcement to bring to light the challenges and innovative opportunities to enhance the lives of the ageing population in China.

“Ageing is a universal challenge that comes along with lots of uncertainties. But it is also an opportunity for joint efforts by creating innovative, widely accessible and sustainable answers,” said H.E. Jean-Jacques de Dardel, Switzerland’s Ambassador to China. “I am very pleased to see this Sino-Swiss partnership taking a steady step into redefining our future of ageing; together, more proactive, more engaging, and more promising.”

As the population in China over the age of 60 has reached 230 million, there is a sense of urgency to better understand and serve the various needs of seniors around the country in different areas, help them maintain physical and mental health, and provide targeted, professional long-term care services and other support. EasyCare Academy’s Respond 4.0 uses scientific, rigorous, systematic, standardized geriatric needs assessment tools to identify individual physical, mental, social and environmental needs and propose local resources to make sure services can be sustainable and measurable. This tool is crucial for our ageing society to continuously improve citizens’ sense of well-being, lay good foundation for the rational and efficient allocation of government, industry and academic resources.

“Through this cooperation, we will take the forefront of the international healthy ageing practice, grasp the latest technology and standards for the assessment of elderly needs, and customize according to China's national and even regional circumstances for broad application," President of CAGG, Mr. LIU Weilin said. “Wherever a senior citizen is, be it at home, in the community or an institution, we are expected to conduct comprehensive analysis of his or her service needs, grasp the starting point of integrated care from the professional point of view, support healthy and dignified ageing for all."

Creator of EasyCare standards, Co-Founder of EasyCare Academy and international geriatrics expert Professor Ian Philp said, "At this critical moment of the WHO iCOPE guideline and whitepaper for promoting healthy ageing, China has the potential to lead the new era of innovation in serving the country’s growing healthy ageing needs.  EasyCare Academy is very pleased to participate in this cooperation and form this important collaboration with CAGG, and we look forward to being an active part of this significant long-term journey."

After signing the agreement, witnessed by both sides of the partnership and the Swiss Ambassador in China, EasyCare Academy also unveiled its plan to establish the world's first Center of Excellence in partnership with Pinetree Care Group, Renmin University and others interested in advancing and elevating the standards for the care of people as they age.

About EasyCare Academy
Based on 28 years’ experience across nearly 50 countries, EasyCare Academy is a social impact enterprise focused on supporting personalized care for healthy ageing to enable people to live better as they live longer. Its digital platform, validated by more than 90 scientific, peer-reviewed publications assesses biological, social, psychological and environmental domains to understand older people’s concerns and generate a personalized response that connects individuals to local resources and solutions. EasyCare Academy works with caregivers – family members, paid caregivers, healthcare professionals and others focused on supporting people as they age – providing best-in-class tools, training and education and empowering them to support the health, independence and well-being of older people while lowering the burden on healthcare budgets.

Picture: edwindoms610/Pixabay

(Press release)