TRIGG and the Ramen&Poel care campus in Ghent, part of the Korian care group, opened their brand-new SeniorCare room. This facility marks an important step in the collaboration between the care campus and the geriatric department of UZ Gent, aimed at promoting the health and well-being of its residents. The official opening took place in the presence of prominent speakers, including Rudy Coddens (Alderman of Ghent), Dr. Anton De Spiegeleer (geriatrician at UZ Gent and lead researcher of the TRIGG research group), CRA physician Mattijs Stroo, Korian COO Sophia Peeters, and Dr. Peter Persyn (medical and ethical counselor at Korian).
For the past year and a half, Ramen&Poel has closely collaborated with UZ Gent to support healthy aging in seniors: “We monitor the muscle mass and muscle strength of our residents annually, with UZ Gent physicians providing personalized advice based on the results. Additionally, they are investigating how bacteria in the oral cavity contribute to muscle aging, also known as sarcopenia,” said Lowie De Spiegeleer, director of Ramen&Poel.
Innovative Research Projects
This clinical-scientific collaboration is now being further developed with the opening of the SeniorCare room, from which new research projects will be launched to promote better functional and cognitive aging. One significant project is the implementation of Dividat Senso, an advanced movement therapy system that improves mobility, stability, and cognitive skills. In addition, geriatric consultations are conducted with advice on wound care, cognitive screening, fall prevention, depression, incontinence, persistent fever, and sarcopenia.
Weekly Presence of Specialists
Dr. Anton De Spiegeleer and his team are present weekly in the SeniorCare room at Ramen&Poel for these clinical and scientific activities. There is also a strong interaction with primary healthcare providers, where general practitioners can request advice and be involved in clinical and scientific findings.
“Aging is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century, and much of it happens outside the hospital. That is why, at the geriatrics department of UZ Gent and our TRIGG research group, we deliberately focus on home-based elderly care and innovation, such as here at Ramen & Poel. Together with the patient, family, and primary care, we strive for a maximum number of high-quality years,” says Anton De Spiegeleer, geriatrician at UZ Gent.
Innovative Care for Older adults
By bringing specialized clinical and research activities to seniors rather than bringing seniors to the clinic, Ramen&Poel is taking a leading role in the innovation of elderly care. This 'point-of-care' approach, where specialized care and research take place on-site, is unique in Flanders and beyond.
AVS-news visited the new SeniorCare room. Watch their report here.
