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The Fluidra Foundation, Fluidra, and the Pasqual Maragall Foundation have formalized a strategic alliance to launch “Unforgettable Pools,” a pioneering study with a dual ambition: to create a reference model that ensures swimming pools (their spaces, activities, and social dynamics) take into account the needs of people with cognitive impairment, and to advance knowledge on the benefits of aquatic physical activity for these groups.
The initiative envisions a comprehensive transformation of swimming pools based on four areas of action: the training of professionals—reaching nearly 200 workers, including instructors, lifeguards, and front-desk staff—to help them recognize signs of cognitive impairment and communicate effectively; the adaptation of aquatic activities, with sessions and schedules tailored to the needs of these groups; the improvement of physical spaces through measures that enhance the cognitive accessibility of the facilities; and stronger connections with the community support network to make it easier for those who could benefit from these activities to access them.
The project will be implemented in Catalonia, where it will be progressively rolled out in 8 to 10 pilot pools. Based on this experience, it will generate practical tools such as adaptation guides, training for professionals, and operational protocols that will enable the model to be replicated in other facilities. Thanks to the Pasqual Maragall Foundation’s expertise in the field of Alzheimer’s and Fluidra’s international presence in over 47 countries, the goal is for this model to be transferred and adapted to aquatic facilities worldwide — transforming swimming pools into more inclusive, healthier spaces that are fully connected with their communities.
Cristina Maragall, President of the Pasqual Maragall Foundation, states that “at the Foundation, we work to promote a more inclusive society that considers the needs of people with cognitive impairment and supports their full participation in community life. This alliance with Fluidra and the Fluidra Foundation is a highly valuable step in that direction, as it will allow us to promote a pioneering project to adapt swimming pools and their dynamics to the needs of these groups, turning them into more accessible spaces that support their physical, cognitive, and social well-being. In addition, this initiative will help us generate knowledge and practical tools that will serve as a reference to advance towards more inclusive environments connected to people.”
For Xavi Servat, Director of the Fluidra Foundation, “this collaboration enables us to move forward in our commitment to putting water and aquatic environments at the service of people’s well-being. Through initiatives like Unforgettable Pools, we want to explore how swimming pools can also become more inclusive environments adapted to the needs of people with cognitive impairment, contributing to improving their quality of life and that of their families.
A view shared by David Tapias, Director of Innovation at Fluidra, who adds: “This project will allow us to generate knowledge and advance in the design of pools that increasingly consider the needs of people with cognitive impairment. At Fluidra, we promote the concept of the Positive Pool, a vision that understands the swimming pool as a space that creates a positive impact on health, well-being, and social cohesion. Innovation also involves rethinking how our environments can actively contribute to physical activity, cognitive stimulation, and socialization for groups with specific needs, putting technology and design at the service of people.”
Fluidra and the Fluidra Foundation, new patrons of the Pasqual Maragall Foundation.
Fluidra, a global leader in pool and wellness equipment and connected solutions, and the Fluidra Foundation, linked to the Fluidra Group, are joining the Pasqual Maragall Foundation’s Patronage Council, strengthening support for Alzheimer’s research and improving the quality of life of people with cognitive impairment.
With this new alliance, the Pasqual Maragall Foundation continues to expand its Patronage Council and reinforce its commitment to a more inclusive society and a future without Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s in Figures
It is currently estimated that Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions affect 900,000 people, which represents one in ten individuals over the age of 65 and one in three over the age of 85. These conditions are among the leading causes of mortality, disability, and dependency.
If no effective cure is found and life expectancy continues to increase, the number of cases could triple worldwide by 2050, surpassing 1.5 million people in Spain alone. This scenario could place severe strain on healthcare and social care systems.
About the Fluidra Foundation
The Fluidra Foundation is an organization that channels Fluidra’s social commitment. Fluidra is a global leader in pool and wellness equipment and connected solutions. Established in 2016, the Foundation promotes initiatives that foster access to swimming, education, and aquatic therapies, bringing the benefits of water and swimming pools to everyone.
Through social projects and collaborations with nonprofit organizations, the Fluidra Foundation works especially with vulnerable groups to improve their quality of life and to promote inclusion and well-being within the communities where it operates.
For more information about the Fluidra Foundation, visit www.fundaciofluidra.org.
About Fluidra
Fluidra S.A. (FDR: SM) is a global leader in pool and wellness equipment and connected solutions. The company is currently listed on the IBEX 35, the benchmark index of the Spanish stock market, and is part of the FTSE4Good Index Series, a leading sustainability benchmark. Fluidra stands out for its broad portfolio of innovative and connected products and services and operates in more than 47 countries. The company’s brand portfolio includes some of the most recognized names in the sector, such as Jandy®, AstralPool®, Polaris®, Cepex®, Zodiac®, CTX Professional®, and Gre®.
For more information about Fluidra, visit www.fluidra.com
About the Pasqual Maragall Foundation
The Pasqual Maragall Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization created in April 2008 as a result of the commitment made by Pasqual Maragall (former Mayor of Barcelona and former President of the Government of Catalonia) when he publicly announced his Alzheimer’s diagnosis. The Foundation is led by Arcadi Navarro and chaired by Cristina Maragall, Pasqual Maragall’s daughter. Maragall himself is the Honorary President.
More than 200 professionals currently work at the Foundation, pursuing a dual mission: to promote research aimed at preventing Alzheimer’s disease, and to provide solutions that improve the quality of life of affected individuals, their families, and caregivers. In the field of scientific research, the Foundation manages the Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC), a research center dedicated to Alzheimer’s prevention and to studying the cognitive functions affected in both healthy and pathological aging.
All of this is possible thanks to the support of around 15 partner organizations and a community of more than 100,000 members who provide financial contributions to sustain the project. Their support is essential to continue working toward a future without Alzheimer’s, as scientific research is the only path to defeating the disease.
To support the Pasqual Maragall Foundation: https://fpmaragall.org/donativos/
For more information: https://fpmaragall.org/