gisAction collaborated with “Fondazione di carita San Lorenzo”, the operating arm of Caritas Perugia-Città della Pieve, to develop and launch the innovative “Rete di Argento” project for Empowerment for the Elderly. This initiative aims to empower Perugia’s elderly population by promoting active aging, preventing loneliness and fostering community involvement.

The project has successfully delivered an easy-to-use ‘App, available for free on Android and iOS, that helps seniors to:

• Get comprehensive information about facilities that provide certain types of services, including availability, distance, opening hours, contact information, and types of services offered.
• Be aware of services and activities in their area, with details on days and hours of delivery, distance, and availability.
• This case highlights how gisAction’s technical expertise and collaborative approach has yielded significant social and technological benefits, using advanced GIS technologies and app development to create a cohesive and user-friendly platform that connects seniors to essential resources, services, and activities in their local community.

The main goal of the project was to create a connected system that would improve community engagement for people over 65. Using GIS technology, through which the app was developed, the initiative facilitated access to local resources, services, and activities.

The project was divided into phases, ensuring alignment between gisAction’s GIS and Development (DEV) teams:

• Definition of the Data Schema – Co-designed with the client in line with the needs expressed in the embryonic phase of the project. The data schema represents the track following the data collection questionnaire and much of the information displayed in the final App.
• Digital Tools Configuration – Based on the co-designed data schema, a digital questionnaire, usable both from the Web and from a dedicated app, was configured for data collection (both geographic and non-geographic).
• App Development – A fully operational mobile App was designed, developed, tested and released for Android and iOS. The App is ‘alive’ and is continuously updated by the data collected through the questionnaire. Facilities and activities can be added and updated regularly (e.g., changing opening hours), ensuring up-to-date and reliable information at all times.”

For the client:

1. Data Collection Tools – Digital surveys (ArcGIS Survey123) collected information on the needs of the elderly and mapped local activities.
2. Visualization Dashboards – Interactive dashboards (ArcGIS Dashboards) enabled the client to monitor data and identify trends.

 For the beneficiary:

1. Proximity Search – Users can locate nearby services and facilities either by entering their own location or by manually choosing a point on the map. This allows:

-Beneficiaries to search outside their current location.

-To family members and caregivers to search remotely on behalf of the beneficiary.

2. Thematic Search-The App allows users to find services based on categories such as sports, health, and social activities.

For the Foundation:

1. Improved Data Flow – From data collection to visualization, enabling continuous monitoring.
2. Optimized Workflow – Digital tools facilitated field data entry and tracking.
3. Decision Support – Access to insights on beneficiaries helped guide future initiatives.

For the Elderly Population:

1. Greater Access – Seniors and their families can quickly search for local services and facilities.
2. Intuitive Interface – Simple navigation and search options ensure accessibility.
3. Promotes Involvement – Encourages seniors to participate in local activities, improving quality of life.

• Innovative and Unique – The project represents the first of its kind in Perugia.
• Free and Accessible – The app is available at no cost and can be downloaded by anyone.
• Wide Scope – The ability to search by location beyond personal surroundings also makes the app useful for family members supporting elderly relatives.

The “Rete di Argento” project exemplifies the transformative potential of combining technology and social initiatives to generate significant and lasting community impact. By offering innovative features, the App extends its utility beyond the elderly, serving as a vital resource for caregivers and family caregivers. This inclusive approach ensures a broader reach and deeper engagement within the community.

By directly addressing the needs of the elderly in Perugia, gisAction and the “la Fondazione di carita San Lorenzo” have successfully established a foundation to promote a more connected, responsible and active elderly population. The initiative highlights the critical role technology can play in bridging social divides, demonstrating the ability of GIS solutions to provide concrete benefits in fostering community engagement and promoting active aging.

As a project, “Rete di Argento” sets a benchmark for similar initiatives around the world, establishing a precedent for innovation, accessibility and an ongoing commitment to meeting community needs. Its success underscores the importance of technological solutions in designing inclusive societies and improving the quality of life for vulnerable populations.

The Fondazione di carità San Lorenzo is the operating entity of the diocesan Caritas of Perugia-Città della Pieve, responsible for managing the charitable and welfare activities, initiatives and services promoted by the diocesan Caritas. The Foundation is dedicated to the witness of charity, social justice and peace, with special attention to the most vulnerable people.

Android

iOS