Active Ageing: How Technology Supports Independent Living
- by Sofia Rivaria
On December 18th, 2024, the Activage Association hosted its inaugural webinar, marking an exciting milestone with the launch of activage.shop. This innovative digital marketplace is designed to empower seniors and support suppliers by bridging gaps in the active and healthy living (AHL) sector. The event served as a platform to showcase the Association’s vision and the fruits of years of collaborative efforts.
The session was led by a distinguished panel of speakers. Sergio Guillén, CEO of the Activage Association, set the stage alongside Carlos Domingo Sánchez, Business Development Officer, and Marta Pérez-Alba, Senior Consultant at Medtronic Iberica. They were later joined by guest speakers Cecilia Vera (LST-UPM) and Xenia Beltrán (Bridge.org), who provided valuable insights into their respective fields.
The journey of activage
Sergio Guillen opened the webinar by reflecting on the roots of the Activage Association. Building on the legacy of the Activage Large-Scale Pilot Project, the Association was created to advance technologies and services that promote active and healthy aging across Europe. He described how their focus on driving innovation and enabling the implementation of best practices led naturally to the development of activage.shop, a unique hub connecting seniors with reliable products and services.
Through its carefully curated offerings, activage.shop provides trustworthy information, a certified product portfolio, and personalized support. Sergio stressed that this approach ensures confidence in the products showcased, thanks to rigorous assessments and clear, accessible information.
Carlos Domingo Sánchez expanded on activage.shop’s dual purpose: a marketplace and an innovation hub. He explained that the platform is designed with user-friendly navigation tailored for seniors and their caregivers, while also offering seamless integration with ecosystems such as the European Commission’s funded “Dome Marketplace” (www.dome-marketplace.eu). This integration ensures compliance with data privacy and security standards while fostering a space for collaboration and co-creation among suppliers.
By illustrating Vitana as an example of this vision, Carlos highlighted how Activage integrates advanced technologies to create safe and supportive environments for seniors, demonstrating the transformative potential of such innovation.
Why we build a community
Marta Pérez-Alba underscored the necessity of building a community-driven ecosystem. Activage.shop, she explained, is more than an online store; it is a movement dedicated to connecting seniors, caregivers, suppliers, and innovators.
She described how the Activage community brings together key stakeholders, including seniors seeking reliable products, caregivers searching for trusted solutions, and suppliers eager to showcase their innovations. Through dynamic engagement methods like webinars, forums, and loyalty programs, the community fosters meaningful exchanges and drives collaborative innovation.
Marta concluded by highlighting the benefits of this approach, such as amplifying supplier visibility and fostering trust. The Activage community creates synergies that not only empower seniors but also ensure suppliers can better meet the evolving needs of this demographic.
Conversation with experts
The webinar also featured in-depth discussions with experts Cecilia Vera and Xenia Beltrán, who brought valuable perspectives on bridging the gap between research and market-ready solutions. Cecilia emphasized the importance of a unified community to address the challenges of product development and adoption. She pointed out that while many innovative products are developed, only a few manage to reach the market due to a lack of structured mechanisms and collaboration.
Xenia highlighted the significance of trust and education in encouraging seniors to adopt technology. She noted that seniors are not only eager to learn but also motivated when they feel supported and see tangible benefits in their lives. Their insights painted a vivid picture of how activage.shop can help overcome existing barriers through its community-focused approach.
As the event transitioned to practical updates, Sergio and Carlos shared details about the early stages of activage.shop. They acknowledged that while the platform is already online, it currently features limited products. The focus now is on expanding offerings and growing the community of suppliers. As Carlos clarified, activage.shop is not just a place to buy products but a supportive hub where suppliers receive guidance to refine their offerings.
Sergio highlighted the significance of this milestone as a gateway to new opportunities, urging suppliers and innovators to collaborate. Activage.shop aims to grow into a vibrant ecosystem that connects key players, sparks innovation, and empowers seniors to lead meaningful and enriched lives.
Conclusion
The event concluded with a sincere and inspiring call to action, inviting everyone to become part of the Activage community. Sergio highlighted the critical role of collaboration in transforming senior care and promoting active, healthy living. He encouraged attendees to see activage.shop not just as a marketplace, but as a thriving hub for innovation, knowledge exchange, and community-building.
Participants were urged to engage in upcoming initiatives, such as webinars, forums, and collaborative projects, all designed to foster meaningful connections and drive the development of new solutions. By joining this dynamic ecosystem, suppliers, caregivers, and innovators can actively contribute to reshaping the future of senior well-being, creating opportunities for growth, trust, and shared success.
Sergio emphasized that this platform represents a movement aimed at empowering seniors and supporting those who care for them. He expressed excitement about the possibilities ahead, inviting all stakeholders to join forces in shaping a brighter and more inclusive future.
For more information, visit activage-association.org or reach out at info@activage-association.org.