SmILE at the II Ageing Deal Conference in Rome

Organised by SmILE, STAGE, and COMFORTage projects, the II Ageing Deal Conference in Rome, brought together various stakeholders from across Europe to advance a shared vision for healthy and comfortable ageing. Across keynote sessions, speakers highlighted the importance of prevention, the need to evolve health and care systems, and the urgency of closing the gap between lifespan and healthspan. A clear message emerged: ageing policies must be proactive, inclusive, and centred around people’s real needs.

Panel discussions reinforced this perspective. Conversations focused on translating policy into practice through life-course prevention, community-based approaches, and tackling social isolation, while also addressing the challenges of bringing innovation into real-world use. Trust, data protection, usability, and bridging the gap between technical and clinical domains were identified as key priorities. A central theme throughout the event was that meaningful transformation requires more than technology, it depends on collaboration, user engagement, and long-term vision.

SmILE actively contributed to the interactive workshop sessions, where co-creation played a central role. These sessions explored practical tools and approaches, including system-mapping blueprints, patient digital twin concepts, and training resources, while also addressing barriers to digital inclusion among older adults, an area closely aligned with SmILE’s mission.

In conclusion, the II Ageing Deal Conference reinforced a shared commitment to building more preventive, inclusive, and resilient systems that support healthy ageing for all, a goal that SmILE is proud to contribute to.