Start ZonMW intervention study for and by elderly: Empowerment of peer networks.

The GRIP and GLEAM interventions have shown to be effective in improving psychological well-being in (frail) older people. The GRIP and GLEAM interventions empower older individuals or groups of individuals. During the implementation of the interventions various problems occurred. First, reaching the target group is difficult. Secondly, offering the interventions via formal organizations is expensive. Third, long term effects are not maintained when there is inadequate support from the social network.

In this project a new GRIP and GLEAM intervention will be developed in close collaboration with representatives of the target group. This new GRIP and GLEAM intervention will be tested in 12 informal networks of elderly in the province of Groningen. For more information you can contact Dr. Martine Goedendorp (Postdoc) Dr. Nardi Steverink (Project leader) or Prof. dr. Robbert Sanderman (Professor Health Psychology).

The project started on 12 December in which the new post-doctoral researcher Martine Goedendorp came to strengthen the GRIP and GLEAM team. She is a psychologist and received her PhD from the UMC St Radboud in 2011 on a multi-center intervention study for fatigue during cancer treatment.