Healthy and Active Elderly programme

Healthy and Active Elderly (Idosos Saudáveis e Ativos) encourages healthy lifestyles in the elderly as a way to fight social isolation, and increases civic participation and a sense of social usefulness, while enabling heritage sites to be more publicly accessible. The project team created a historical and cultural tourist circuit that includes 11 churches in Torres Vedras (PT), now open to the public every day. Senior citizens have the following responsibilities: ensure the proper functioning of the church; provide guided tours; and contribute to a detailed analysis of visitor profiles and visit patterns. Retired residents (at least 55 years old) receive a monthly reward for participating.