From challenge to change: the Tast’Age EASI initiative story
How do we equip professionals with the skills and training needed to improve nutrition and prevent malnutrition in older adults? Our answer is Tast’Age—one of EASI’s #PromisingPractices, developed in collaboration with partners from France, Greece, Romania, Portugal, and Spain. Through this initiative, we have designed and developed innovative training resources in nutrition, practical guides for healthy eating in later life, and concrete solutions to combat malnutrition
Why Tast’Age?
Tast’Age was created to address one of the most pressing challenges confronting Europe’s rapidly ageing population. Recent studies have revealed the worrying statistic that 53% of Europe’s population over the age of 65 is at risk of malnutrition (Keller et al., 2013) and dehydration (Hooper et al., 2015; Weinberg et al., 2023), with direct consequences on health and quality of life. To address this, a consortium of seven associations from across Europe—including Romania, Greece, France, Portugal, and Spain—has joined forces to create innovative solutions to the pressing issue of senior adults’ malnutrition.
Through this transnational Tast’Age initiative, we’re empowering senior‑care professionals with hands‑on training and an intuitive digital toolbox, so they can proactively prevent and reduce malnutrition risks among the older adults they serve.
Building a blueprint for healthy aging
Based on existing studies and our partner’s experience working with healthcare professionals in senior care facilities, several key issues became clear.
Early in our research, we found a significant gap between recommended nutrition guidelines for older adults and the daily practices of healthcare staff when it comes to providing proper meals and mealtime conditions.
We also noticed that many senior care staff members seemed to lack knowledge about important topics, such as nutritional values, how nutrition relates to certain health issues or medications, and how to treat malnutrition when it happens.
Finally, we identified a need for an open-source digital database that brings together existing information on nutrition and well-being for older adults.
The Tast’Age innovative resources
To address these needs we have developed easy-to-follow training modules for our targeted groups, on themes spanning from nutritional recommendations and the role of caregivers in nutrition, to food systems and the environmental considerations of eating.
During our training sessions, we have also touched on the social and affective aspects of nutrition, such as the effects of isolation and loneliness, as well as the influence of social inequalities and incomes on the malnutrition of an ageing population.
Following this strategy, we have created a “best practice” digital toolbox in the form of an online database of resources (comprising articles, scientific papers, questionnaires, recipes) on the topics of healthy nutrition and senior care.
Showcasing innovations for healthy aging – the Tast’Age final conference
To mark these achievements, on July 8th 2025, EASI hosted the Tast’Age final conference in Bucharest. The event brought together more than 50 health professionals, nutritionists, social workers, caregivers, and seniors.
Participants explored innovative methods to prevent malnutrition and support active, balanced lives for older adults, while networking with peers and experts dedicated to healthy aging.
The event also featured several key speakers who delivered engaging presentations on nutrition and ageing. Attendees had the chance to interact directly with our specialists, leading to an exciting and insightful debate.
At our event, Professor Nair-Tonia Vassilakou, lecturer at the School of Public Health of the University of West Attica, offered valuable insights into the key determinants of healthy ageing and highlighted the crucial role of physical activity.
Continuing on the theme of exercise, we were joined by Odile Turcu, program coordinator at Asociația Răsăritul de Argint and founder of SeniorFit.ro, the first digital platform in Romania dedicated to preventive exercise for seniors. Odile shared her expertise on creating accessible ways for older adults to stay active and healthy.
We also focused on the themes of respect, dignity, and equity for older people, with a powerful contribution from Mariana Oancea, coordinator of the social assistance department at Asociația Four Change and the SenioriNet Federation network.
Drawing on her background in social work and evidence-based research from the University of Oxford, Ms. Oancea offered an informed perspective on the fundamental rights of older adults and emphasized the importance of education in preventing malnutrition.
Finally, Irina Babici, who collaborates with schools and institutions to deliver nutritional education tailored to real needs, shared practical solutions for preventing malnutrition among seniors. Her presentation included actionable ideas for maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle at any age.
Together, these contributions created a rich discussion on how to support healthy ageing through exercise, education, and respect for the dignity of older people, while also highlighting the power of social innovation to design inclusive, practical solutions that truly respond to the real needs of seniors.
Learn more about Tast’Age.
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References
Keller, H. H., Goy, R., & Kane, S. L. (2005). Validity and reliability of SCREEN II (Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition, Version II). European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 59(10), 1149–1157. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602225
Hooper, L., Bunn, D. K., Downing, A., Jimoh, F. O., Groves, J., Free, C., Cowap, V., Potter, J. F., Hunter, P. R., & Shepherd, A. I. (2015). Which frail older people are dehydrated? The UK DRIE study. The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, 70(10), 1341–1347. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glv087
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