Detect the weaknesses linked to aging and allow everyone to keep their autonomy as long as possible: this is the objective of Is-Icope. An initiative born from a partnership between the Center Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) in Grenoble Alpes, the Department of Isère and La Poste. Inspired by the ICOP (Integrated Care for Older People, or integrated care for the elderly in French) of the World Health Organization (WHO), IS-ICOPE aims to detect fraglities in people from 60 and over, thanks to a free and intuitive mobile application: Digicope. The program is enriched with support actions for people in this process.
Beyond the six essential functions identified by WHO (mobility, nutrition, mood, memory, hearing, vision), a seventh dimension was added in the Isérois system: the social situation. “A concept which has not, for the moment, been integrated only by our department “, Underlines Delphine Hartmann, vice-president of the Isère department. A dimension that has proven to be essential since 51 % of people enrolled in the program expressed a need in connection with their isolation or an recourse to law.
The factor, an essential actor
One of the major innovations in the system is based on the involvement of postmen of the Post. “We wanted to take advantage of the confidence and the proximity relationship they install with people to promote the project and support seniors in carrying out the test via the Digicope application”explains Bérengère Ray, delegate for the regional development of the La Poste group.
Two types of factors have been mobilized: tour factors, which sensitize people during their visit, and expert factors, specially trained by the CHU to help users carry out the screening test. A proven methodology, which has not only made it easier to access screening for people who are uncomfortable with digital tools, but also made it possible to reach an audience that would not spontaneously have turned to specialists. A total of 150 tour factors and 15 expert factors were trained in Isère, as part of this experiment.
Act concretely on health and well-being
In the event of detected fragility, the data is then secured to health or social professionals. “The CHU’s postulate was to preserve healthcare professionals so that they can focus more on the in -depth evaluation, which is really medical. »» Following this evaluation, personalized follow-up is proposed in order to act concretely on the health and well-being of the person tested.
For Professor Gaëtan Gavazzi, head of the Geriatric Service of the Grenoble University Hospital, “Prevention is essential”. “In two to three years, baby boomers will be 80 years old, an age at high risk of dependence. This will represent nearly 200,000 additional people to support each year. If we want to be able to continue to take care of the youngest, everyone must be followed as soon as possible to remain independent and healthy as long as possible ”he insists.
Convincing results and ambitious deployment
After two years of experimentation in the community of communes of Grésivaudan and in Grenoble, the assessment is very positive with 510 screenings carried out. The figures speak for themselves: 88 % of people detected have at least proven fragility, while 87 % have implemented the advice received, and declare the benefits. “Even if at 60, we say that everything is fine, there can already be any beginnings of fragility that settle down and that we can identify thanks to the Is-Iicope questionnaire. »»
Building on this success, the ambition is to deploy the program at the departmental level over the period 2025-2027, with the aim of reaching 11,000 people. “The challenge is to acculturate the population to this system, by encouraging them to say ² it is useful to self-evaluate me. If all is well, I would start over in a year. And if something is wrong, I consult a health professional² »concludes Professor Gavazzi.