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Older people and ageing research and development network: scoping study: final report
- Authors:
- PHILLIPS Judith, et al
- Publisher:
- University of Wales Swansea
- Publication year:
- 2005
- Pagination:
- 88p.
- Place of publication:
- Swansea
This Scoping Study, undertaken by an inter-disciplinary team from 3 Welsh Universities found widespread interest in, and enthusiasm for, a research-based network focussed upon Older People and Ageing in Wales. To demonstrate progress toward achieving this aim, the Report covers two main areas. Part A is an overview of Research and Development Activity in Wales. Part B plans to develop an Older People and Ageing R&D Network in Wales.
Against modernism
- Author:
- WILSON Gail
- Journal article citation:
- Generations Review, 6(4), December 1996, pp.8-9.
- Publisher:
- British Society of Gerontology
Modernity can be defined as a way of organising knowledge which treats rationality and scientific method as the ultimate authorities. Demography and economics are part of modernity. However, the knowledge they offer about ageing is usually presented in simplistic and inaccurate forms. In the light of this the author argues against a modernist approach.
Photovoice method with older persons: a review
- Authors:
- MYSYUK Yuliya, HUISMAN Martijn
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 40(8), 2020, pp.1759-1787.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
For a long time researchers have used photography for different purposes, in different ways and with different focus. Photovoice is a qualitative visual research method that refers to photographs taken by the participants themselves. It has been used with different age groups and populations. The use of photovoice in older populations requires its own study of approaches, techniques and challenges. This article reviews existing studies using photovoice with older participants specifically, to consider its potential as a qualitative research method in the field of gerontology. This study discusses advantages and limitations of the method in gerontological research and provide guidelines for future studies. Our results show that photovoice has been used to study a wide range of topics in older people, from health issues and the impact of environment on health and wellbeing, to leisure experiences of groups living with HIV/AIDS. Using photovoice helps researchers to capture live experiences and perceptions of older persons and conduct engaging, involving and empowering research facilitating interaction, reflection and connection of participants. However, conducting photovoice studies can be practically challenging, such as when addressing special needs of the participants, or ethical and other feasibility issues. To conclude, photovoice has great potential for being used in gerontological research, it can be altered to fit specific goals, divergent issues studied and different research contexts. (Publisher abstract)
Evaluating the impact of the New Dynamics of Ageing research programme
- Author:
- NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TEAM FOR INCLUSION
- Publisher:
- National Development Team for Inclusion
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 114
- Place of publication:
- Bath
This report presents the findings and conclusions from an impact evaluation of the New Dynamics of Ageing (NDA) research programme carried out by the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTI) between October 2013 and December 2014. The NDA programme was the first, cross-Council, multi-disciplinary research programme on ageing to be commissioned, with the aim of exploring how the understanding and experience of ageing is changing, developing innovative, multidisciplinary research groups and methods, and providing a sound evidence base for policy and practice to ensure research contributes to wellbeing and quality of life. The report draws together four main conclusions based on the key lessons and messages identified from the impact evaluation of the NDA programme: the added value of the programme in achieving impact - for many, being part of the programme was in itself enormously valuable in delivering and supporting impact, not just for researchers, but also for advisory group members, partner organisations and older people; the importance of understanding and working with a diversity of audiences and forms of impact (in order to influence policy, practice and product development); the benefits of promoting successful impact generation methods; and lessons for developing impact evaluation frameworks and methods. (Edited publisher abstract)
A jam-jar model of life expectancy and limits to life
- Authors:
- MAYHEW Les, SMITH David
- Publisher:
- International Longevity Centre UK
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 18
- Place of publication:
- London
This paper presents a new method for forecasting life expectancy based on decomposition techniques, focusing on trends in life expectancy within specified age intervals. It imagines each decade of life as a 'jam-jar' which fills to the brim with life years, with extra life years being added to the each decade's jam-jars at different rates, filling the early ones first, until all are full. The key advantages of this approach are more certainty over which age groups are affected and more accurate information about possible limits to life. Results are presented for England and Wales and the implications discussed. A concluding section briefly compares this approach with other methods. The study suggests a systematic shift in survival at higher ages. Most future growth in life expectancy in retirement will come between ages 70 and 100. Life expectancy beyond 100 years of age is increasing very slowly and so will not contribute as much as was thought. Age at death will tend to increasingly cluster in early 90s as the age of death of men and women converge. The paper argues that as a result government policies must be durable, especially anything to do with pensions, health and social care, or housing. (Edited publisher abstract)
Cross-cultural gerontology research methods: challenges and solutions
- Author:
- CHI Iris
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 31(3), April 2011, pp.371-385.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This article reviews the historical development and modern state of cross-cultural research in gerontology. Cross-cultural research in gerontology is important because the social processes of ageing vary. It aims to distinguish universal from culturally-specific processes and determine how cultural factors influence individual and population ageing. In doing so, it has to overcome many challenges such as how to design an equivalent and unbiased study, how to access different cultures, and how to ensure that questions are meaningful for different cultures. Appropriate strategies include using an international multicultural research team, becoming familiar with the local culture, maintaining good relationships with community leaders, studying only those aspects of behaviour that are functionally equivalent, using appropriate measures, and encouraging equal partnership and open communication among colleagues. To highlight the complexity of cross-cultural research and lessons learnt from such research experience, this article describes an example study of long-term care that involved researchers from more than 30 countries.
The development of culturally-sensitive measures for research on ageing
- Author:
- INGERSOLL-DAYTON Berit
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 31(3), April 2011, pp.355-370.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This article examines the problem of importing existing measures developed in other countries when creating research instruments for use with older people. These measures often fail to address any cultural aspects present. The article discusses a mixed-methods approach to measurement that incorporates input from older adults in Thailand for whom the measure is intended. Using 44 people in 5 focus groups and 23 in-depth interviews, the process begins with an identification of the culturally-meaningful domains of the construct under study. Then, input is gathered from other studies, before a preliminary quantitative measure is developed. Finally, the measure is reviewed by a panel of experts. Based on further pre-testing and cognitive interviews with older people, the measure is again modified. Subsequently, the measure is incorporated into a large-scale survey and tested for its psychometric qualities. In addition to providing a template for culturally-sensitive measurement development in gerontology, this article also examines issues that researchers should consider when attempting the development of such measures.
Making progress: but a way to go - the age and ageing care-home collection
- Authors:
- GORDON Adam L., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Age and Ageing, 51(1), 2022, p.afab213.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Care homes enable people with advanced physical and cognitive impairment to live well with 24-h support from staff. They are a feature of care systems in most countries. They have proved pivotal to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response. We searched Age and Ageing for care-home articles published since 2015. From these we collated 42 into the Age and Ageing care-home collection. This collection draws together important papers that show how Age and Ageing is helping to shape and grow care-home research. The collection outlines the technical issues that researchers face by grouping together important feasibility trials conducted in the sector. It looks at the challenges of measuring quality of life and working with routine data in care homes. It brings together observational studies considering loneliness, functional dependency, stroke outcomes, prescribing and acute deterioration. Health services research in care homes is represented by two studies that demonstrate realist evaluation as a way to make sense of service innovations. Papers are included that consider: non-pharmacological strategies for residents with dementia, end-of-life care, sexuality and intimacy and the care-home workforce. Given the importance of the COVID-19 pandemic in care homes, all of the care home COVID-19 papers published in Age and Ageing to date are included. Finally, a group of papers that present innovative approaches to research in care homes, each of which give voice to residents and/or staff, are collated and presented as a way of moving towards a more resident and care home centred research agenda. (Edited publisher abstract)
The value of small community-led equalities research projects
- Authors:
- WILKINSON Sarah, BONETREE Clare, BERRY Hannah
- Publisher:
- Ambition for Ageing
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Pagination:
- 25
- Place of publication:
- Manchester
This report explores the value of community-led equalities research by evaluating five short research projects as part of the Ambition for Ageing’s Ageing Equally? programme. The programme focuses on what makes a good place in which to grow older for people who belong to minority communities. Five organisational members of the Equalities Board each received funding to deliver a research project over six months in 2019. Each researched a specific marginalised community in a defined geographic area linked to the research question: “What makes a good place to grow older for people who belong to minority communities?”. The report considers both the effects of a community-led approach on the research and its wider impacts. It suggests that community organisations have specialist knowledge about their community and are able to engage well with people from marginalised communities. In addition, their writing style that may be more in tune with their communities and are able to disseminate findings widely through community networks. However, some community organisations may not have enough experience or skills in doing research – they may need additional help and advice, time and flexibility and funding. In terms of the wider impacts, the report highlights that organisations benefited by improving their research skills, increasing their reputation, and involving new people in their organisations. Individuals benefited from taking part by feeling heard and learning new skills. The wider community benefited from having increased knowledge available about community members’ needs. (Edited publisher abstract)
Establishing long-term research relationships with older people: exploring care practices in longitudinal studies
- Authors:
- ATTUYER Katia, GILROY Rose, CROUCHER Karen
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 40(5), 2020, pp.1064-1083.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Drawing on a recently completed longitudinal research project with 96 participants aged 55+, the paper provides insight into the challenges of carrying out ethical practices when engaged in longer-term research relationships with older people. It builds on a body of work that purposely records in detail the ethical dilemmas researchers face, the options available to them and the rationale guiding their reaction. The Co-Motion research, led by the University of York, examined the impact of major later-life transitions on mobility and wellbeing, and was therefore focused on times of change that were, for some participants, accompanied by suffering. Over three years, the project used a range of methods to explore with each individual the dynamic nature of lived experience: change, continuity, endurance, transition and causality. The paper addresses the negotiation of informed consent over the life of long-term research relationships; the ‘care work’ involved; contested understandings of vulnerability; and the need for ongoing ethical reflection. The paper concludes by calling for greater reflexivity and suggests a more participant-focused approach to ethics in the field, demanding both greater self-awareness from researchers and allowing the participants to have greater voice in the research processes. (Edited publisher abstract)