The Royal Court

The King and The Queen Visit The House of Aging Research

The King, The Queen, Director Sven Erik Wånell and Gerontologist Wilhelmina Hoffman at The House of Aging Research. Photo: Tomas Södergren

The King, The Queen, Director Sven Erik Wånell and Gerontologist Wilhelmina Hoffman at The House of Aging Research. Photo: Tomas Södergren

Aging, and care of the elderly, was the theme when King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia visited the Stockholm Gerontology Research Center (Stiftelsen Äldrecentrum - ÄC) and the Aging Research Center (ARC) in Stockholm on February 6th. Healthy aging, how to reduce the risk of dementia and memory functions in normal aging were some of the topics discussed when five researchers presented new information to Their Majesties.

New Facts on Aging


Associate Professor Eva Strauss, ARC and ÄC:
75% of those who are over the age of 80 are still vigorous, live in their own homes and can take care of themselves without much help. Those are the results of a study that some 3,300 people aged 60 and over, from the Stockholm island of Kungsholmen, participated in 2001 - 2004.

Wilhelmina Hoffman, Gerontologist and Head of Silviahemmet:
It is very important to continue being committed to research into aging.

Associate Professor Miia Kivipelto, ARC and ÄC:
She has, amongst other things, created an internet based tool which can detect the risk of dementia at a very early stage. The hope is that the tool can soon be used at health centres.

Professor Mats Thorslund, ARC och ÄC:
As a specialist in the field of elderly housing he believes that there is not enough housing for the elderly with special needs, and that this problem will only continue if the present situation carries on.

Professor Lars Bäckman, ARC och ÄC:
Many memory functions are affected minimally in normal aging, but there are of course individual differences amongst the elderly. However, the healthy pensioner has good possibilities in improving their memory.
 

The House of Aging Research


The Stockholm Gerontology Research Center and the Aging Research Center have together built The House of Aging Research, an interdisciplinary research and development center. This is also where the new Svenskt Demenscentrum (Swedish Dementia Center) will be placed, which The Queen will inaugurate on February 15th.

 The National Board of Health and Welfare has appointed the Stockholm Gerontology Research Center and the Silviahemmet Foundation to form this national center of competence for dementia issues. The Swedish government has granted 5 million Swedish Kronor to help with financing .