GERDA – Gerontological Regional Database

GERDA – Gerontological Regional Database
GERDA is a cross-border, interdisciplinary research collaboration between Umeå University in Sweden and Åbo Akademi University, Novia University of Applied Sciences, Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, and Åland University of Applied Sciences in Finland. We have together collected several rounds of data on different aspects of health and living conditions among older adults. Thus far, these collections have resulted in among other things 30 doctoral theses and over a hundred scientific articles. Our goal is to promote a good aging through knowledge exchange, cooperation, research, and dissemination.

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- Umeå University
  The researchers at Umeå University who are active in GERDA are affiliated to the Department of Social Work, the Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation (including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and geriatric medicine), and the Department of Nursing. The research group is thereby multiprofessional, which is of great importance when conducting research on older adults. Research areas that are of special interest to the researchers include aging well and potential threats to it, physical activity, incidence and prevalence of common diseases such as dementia and depression, ageism, subjective well-being, loneliness, nutrition, medication use, and oral health.
  
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- Åbo Akademi University
  The researchers that are connected to GERDA at Åbo Akademi University in Vaasa, Finland, are affiliated to the social- and health sciences at the Faculty of Education and Welfare Studies. The research group has a broad interest in various research topics such as active aging, informal caregiving, social and political participation, subjective well-being, and internet use. We offer studies in social and health sciences on bachelor and master level, and it is common that our students work with older adults after their graduation. The results from GERDA have been used in our teaching, and several students have used GERDA data in their master theses.

- Novia University of Applied Sciences
  The GERDA project has been a central part of the activities at the Institution of Health and Welfare/Research, development, and innovation since 2005. The GERDA collaboration has contributed to new collaborations, projects, and publications. Novia University of Applied Sciences offers studies in social and health care (e.g. social work, nursing), and the knowledge on gerontology is highly beneficial in the students’ upcoming professional life. The results from GERDA are used in teaching, and students in health care as well as social care have used GERDA data in their theses.

- Seinäjoki Univsersity of Applied Sciences
  The staff at Seinäjoki University of Applies Sciences (SeAMK) within the social and health care field is actively engaged in GERDA. The research and development activities focus on well-being, prevention, social and health care, and participation as well as welfare technology that support these. SeAMK offers both bachelor and master degree programs within the field of social and health care, including social work, gerontology, nursing, and physiotherapy. The GERDA data enables research on different levels, including bachelor and master theses, and offers a valuable base for promoting well-being in the region.

- Åland University of Applied Sciences
  Åland University of Applied Sciences (HÅ) became a new partner of the GERDA collaboration in 2021. Research on health and living conditions among older adults has however been conducted at HÅ for a longer period. For example, a population based study was conducted in 2015 where all individuals who were 65 years and older were invited to participate. Research within this area has resulted in several scientific articles and reports. The data has also been used by Statistics and Research Åland as well as by nursing students for their theses. The results have formed a knowledge base that has been used for education, for planning and decisions regarding regional health care as well as for other supportive measures targeting the older population on Åland.

Steering group
The steering group includes members from all universities and consists of the following persons:

GERDA is a cross-border, interdisciplinaryRESEARCH COLLABORATION