Mónica Seidi highlights importance of MOVida 2 project in promoting active ageing - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social

The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, attended this week's presentation of the MOVida 2 project – Mobility for the Promotion of Quality of Life for the Elderly. Promoted by the São Miguel Seniors Association, this initiative aims to prevent loneliness and promote active ageing among the elderly population in the municipality of Ponta Delgada.

In her speech, Mónica Seidi emphasised that the MOVida 2 project is fully aligned with the strategic guidelines of the Regional Programme for the Promotion of Active and Healthy Ageing (PRPEAS), recently approved by the Regional Government as part of the 2030 Regional Health Plan.

“The Regional Government has been working towards active and healthy ageing as a strategic priority. PRPEAS translates this vision into an integrated approach based on promoting health, autonomy, social participation, and lifelong learning. As such, the MOVida 2 project is a tangible example of this public policy in action,” stated the Regional Secretary.

The project is aimed at people aged 65 or over, residing in Ponta Delgada, directly involving 30 participants, 15 men and 15 women, continuing the pilot project that involved 10 elderly people. The intervention includes regular physical activity, namely Tai Chi and Chi Kung, cognitive and socio-emotional stimulation sessions, training sessions on information and communication technologies, and a strong involvement in cultural and leisure activities, promoting socialisation and the overall well-being of participants.

According to the Regional Secretary, this integrated approach reflects several of the PRPEAS pillars, namely health and well-being, autonomy and independent living, lifelong development and learning, and participation in society. It also contributes to the fight against ageism and the recognition of seniors as active agents in the community.

“We want to add life to years, not just years to life. This is what PRPEAS advocates, and this is what initiatives such as MOVida 2 help to achieve, through innovative responses that are close to communities and people-centred,” emphasised Mónica Seidi.

This project is funded by the Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security, through the Regional Directorate for the Promotion of Equality and Social Inclusion, with financial support amounting to €10,000. It has been running since the beginning of 2026, with activities already underway following initial assessments of participants' physical and cognitive abilities, and their degree of loneliness.

For the government official, coordination between local projects and regional programmes "is essential to ensure more effective and sustainable public policies that can be replicated in other contexts in the Region, contributing to a more inclusive and healthy society that is prepared for an ageing population."