SIMPEC T Study Visit in Pays de la Loire: Inspiring Regional Initiatives for Healthy Ageing

The SIMPEC T project study visit in Pays de la Loire

A few weeks ago, partners of the European SIMPEC T project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme, gathered in the Pays de la Loire region in France for a study visit focused on local initiatives supporting healthy ageing and skills development in the services-to-people sector.

This visit represented an important milestone for the project. It provided partners with the opportunity to discover inspiring practices, exchange with local stakeholders, and identify concrete solutions addressing the challenges linked to an ageing population.

Discovering innovative local initiatives

During the visit, the SIMPEC T partners met several organisations and initiatives actively working to improve support for older people and strengthen the services-to-people sector.

Among the initiatives presented:

• La Maison de Gaston, an innovative living environment designed to support autonomy and well-being for older adults.

• Bien Vieillir en Sarthe, an association promoting healthy ageing and coordinating local initiatives.

• The GPEC SAP initiative, focusing on workforce planning and skills development in the personal services sector.

• The DIVADOM programme, implemented at EHPAD Résidence Le Bois Fleuri, which showcases innovative approaches to improving care and support in residential facilities.

• Discussions on inclusive housing solutions, exploring new housing models adapted to ageing populations.

• Exchanges on human resources and training challenges within the home care and personal services sector.

  
  

Regions as drivers of social innovation

A key message emerged from the study visit: regions play a crucial role in developing innovative solutions to address the challenges of demographic ageing.

The Pays de la Loire region demonstrates how cooperation between associations, care institutions, training organisations, and public actors can lead to meaningful and practical solutions for older people and professionals in the sector.

Contributing to the objectives of the SIMPEC T project

This study visit directly contributes to the main objectives of the SIMPEC T project, which aims to:

• Improve the skills of professionals and regional stakeholders working in services for older people

• Develop innovative and recognised training programmes at the European level

• Identify, test, and disseminate best practices across partner regions

Field visits such as this one are essential to transform observations into concrete actions supporting healthy ageing and strengthening professional competences in the sector.