In response to the growing healthcare challenges posed by Europe’s aging population, the ARMS4elderly project officially launched on May 1st, 2024. This groundbreaking initiative aims to transform elderly care through innovative remote medical services, reducing unnecessary hospital admissions, improving patient outcomes, and optimizing healthcare resources across Europe.
The Challenge and Our Vision
Europe faces a significant demographic shift: by 2050, 1 in 6 people globally will be over the age of 65, and Europe’s old-age dependency ratio is expected to reach 56.7%. The resulting pressure on healthcare systems requires sustainable solutions to address the growing demand for medical services.
ARMS4elderly integrates advanced telemedicine technologies to ensure elderly patients in nursing homes and care facilities receive timely, high-quality medical care while remaining in their familiar surroundings.
Project Goals and Key Objectives
The ARMS4elderly project tackles complex healthcare needs by:
✅ Developing and implementing comprehensive remote medical care programs for elderly patients.
✅ Deploying advanced remote monitoring and diagnostic technologies.
✅ Establishing effective systems for patient triage and risk stratification.
✅ Creating evidence-based care protocols to manage common medical conditions remotely.
✅ Facilitating collaboration between hospitals, nursing homes, NGOs, and SMEs for seamless, high-quality care delivery.
Implementation Through Pilots
The project will roll out through large-scale pilots across four European countries, involving over 20 healthcare professionals:
- Israel
- Denmark
- Italy
- Romania
A prospective, multi-center international clinical study will demonstrate the safety and efficacy of remote hospital care for elderly patients as a viable alternative to hospitalization. Cutting-edge remote devices will enable real-time monitoring, diagnosis, and virtual consultations among doctors, caregivers, and patients.
Key Partners:
- OUH Odense University Hospital (Denmark)
- Net-Medicare SRL (Italy)
- ROHEALTHCluster(Romania)
- Mures County Clinical Hospital (Romania)
Expected Outcomes
Reduction in Hospital Admissions: Aiming to decrease elderly hospital admissions from 150 to 105 during the research period.
Improved Patient Outcomes: Enhanced physical and mental health, better recovery rates, and reduced mortality.
High Patient Satisfaction: Measured through validated tools like the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ) and Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ).
Clinical Staff Wellbeing: Reduced burnout and increased job satisfaction among healthcare professionals using tools like the Nursing Work Index (NWI).
Cost Efficiency: Targeting a 20% reduction in healthcare costs, resulting in an average saving of €4,800 per patient.
A Sustainable Future
Funded by Horizon Europe and national funding authorities across Israel, Denmark, Italy, and Romania, ARMS4elderly is committed to long-term sustainability. Partnerships with public and private entities and subscription-based business models for telemedicine services will be explored to extend the project’s benefits well into the future.
Why ARMS4elderly Matters By pioneering preventive healthcare and leveraging telemedicine innovations, ARMS4elderly directly addresses the burden on healthcare systems, ensuring that Europe’s elderly population receives dignified, efficient, and cost-effective care.