Life Monitoring for Rural Older Adults

Aging is a biological process that is accompanied by a progressive deterioration of physical and mental abilities and leads to an increased risk of disease. In 2023, Spain will reach an all-time high aging rate of 137.7% due to the low birth rate and increasing life expectancy. In Castilla y León, 47.57% of the population lives in municipalities with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants. This percentage has decreased over the last 10 years, reflecting a clear trend towards rural exodus, and this population loss requires the development of specific measures. Spanish Law 45/2007 includes as one of its objectives the promotion of quality social services and the guarantee of access to public services for older adults. However, geographical dispersion limits the effective implementation of these services. Although Castilla y León has a good network of local clinics, medical care in many municipalities is outpatient and limited to a weekly consultation. This low frequency of face-to-face care hinders the early detection of diseases, leads to a greater number of avoidable hospitalizations and contributes to older adults isolation. Faced with this reality, the VIVIR (Integrated Monitoring for Independent Living in Rural Settings) project proposes the implementation of an innovative system for the continuous monitoring of the health status of the elderly through an advanced comprehensive assessment kit. This kit will include instruments such as electrocardiogram, blood pressure measurement, manual grip strength, assessment of physical and emotional functions, spirometry, body composition and nutritional assessment.