Comprehensive Program for Stimulation, Rehabilitation, and Inclusion for Senior Citizens in the Milagro Canton

Abstract

Population ageing has increased the demand for community-based interventions that promote functional independence, healthy lifestyles, and social participation among older adults. This study aimed to describe the implementation and outcomes of a multidisciplinary community intervention designed to promote healthy ageing through therapeutic rehabilitation, cognitive stimulation, nutritional education, and social inclusion activities in Milagro Canton, Ecuador. A descriptive community intervention was conducted between April 2024 and April 2026 involving 96 community-dwelling older adults and 149 undergraduate students from Psychology, Physiotherapy, Nutrition and Dietetics, Education, and Basic Education programs. Institutional records and program monitoring reports were analyzed to characterize the intervention and its outcomes. The program comprised 192 intervention sessions distributed across therapeutic rehabilitation, cognitive stimulation, nutritional education, and recreational activities. Improvements in functional performance were observed in 78.1% of participants, while 72.9% demonstrated enhanced cognitive engagement. Nutritional workshops increased healthy eating awareness in 83.3% of beneficiaries, and 84.4% maintained high participation in social inclusion activities throughout the intervention. The interdisciplinary university–community model also promoted active student participation and strengthened experiential learning. These findings suggest that multidisciplinary community-based interventions represent a feasible strategy for promoting healthy ageing by integrating physical, cognitive, nutritional, and social components while simultaneously reinforcing university engagement and community health promotion.