“We are thrilled to announce that we have recently won a new European research project that will study the role of different activities on improving the prospects for healthy ageing,” said Rhonda Smith, Director of Minerva.

The EC-funded Medit-Ageing project, based in Caen, France, will research mental health in later life to help older people counteract the problems that may accompany longer life expectancy.

The Basse-Normandie region, from where Medit-Ageing will be co-ordinated, has faced one of the most rapid increases in the ageing population of all regions in France. As age increases, so does the incidence of mental health problems such as later-life depression, sleep disturbances and dementia. These conditions are often chronic and put huge pressure on patients’ quality of life, on their caregivers, and society as a whole. Finding an effective way to tackle these issues will allow older people to be healthier – and happier – for longer.

Minerva’s role is to lead all communication and dissemination activity including providing support for the partners leading on recruitment of study participants for the research studies taking place in France, UK, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and Belgium.

Rhonda says, “We’re very excited to be a part of this project, which has the potential to deliver real, long-lasting health benefits for us all. By contributing our experience and expertise in strategic communications planning and delivery, we will enable the project to make valuable connections and effectively share the story of this project’s research and report on its progress and results.”