Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Why the UK needs a social policy on ageing
- Author:
- WALKER Alan
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Policy, 47(2), 2018, pp.253-273.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
- Place of publication:
- Cambridge
This article makes the case for a radical new strategy on ageing which focuses on the whole life course with the intention of preventing many of the chronic conditions associated with old age. The case is built on recent research evidence and the life-course concept of ‘active ageing’ is used to encapsulate the practical measures required. Combining biological and social science insights it is argued that, while ageing is inevitable, it is also plastic. This means that it not only manifests itself in different ways but also that it can be modified by mitigating the various risk factors that drive it. Such action would have considerable potential to reduce the personal costs of chronic conditions such as strokes and those falling on family carers but, also, to cut the associated health and social care expenditures. The question of why such apparently beneficial policy action is not being taken is discussed and a range of barriers are identified. One of these appears to be the UK's extreme brand of neo-liberalism, which militates against the collective approach necessary to implement a social policy for active ageing. Although the case is made with primary reference to UK policy and practice, the call for action to prevent chronic conditions has global relevance. (Publisher abstract)
Quality of life in old age: international multi-disciplinary perspectives
- Editors:
- MOLLENKOPF Heidrun, WALKER Alan, (eds.)
- Publisher:
- Springer
- Publication year:
- 2007
- Pagination:
- 260p.
- Place of publication:
- Heidelberg
This book brings together leading researchers on quality of life in old age to focus on one of the most important issues in both gerontology and quality of life studies. Quality of life is a holistic construct and assessed from many different perspectives and by many disciplines. As the concept of quality of life can be applied to practically all important domains of life, quality of life research has to include social, environmental, structural, and health related aspects and be approached from an interdisciplinary perspective. There are very few texts available on this topic and none of an international and multi-disciplinary nature. Quality of life studies have neglected older people and, given the size and growth of this population, and this book systematically pursues a comprehensive perspective, and includes theoretical approaches and empirical findings with respect to the most important components of quality of life in old age. This book is designed to be a seminal text for both gerontology and quality of life researchers.
New horizons research programme: the social exclusion of older people: future trends and policies: think piece
- Authors:
- WALKER Alan, et al
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department for Communities and Local Government
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Pagination:
- 37p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
This report intends to examine how the landscape of social exclusion is likely to change over the next five to 15 years and the policy implications of these changes. It also aims to highlight the most promising policy options in seeking to combat present and future social exclusion among older people.
Half a century of promises: the failure to realise community care for older people
- Author:
- WALKER Alan
- Publisher:
- Counsel and Care
- Publication year:
- 1995
- Pagination:
- 25p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
Lecture on the theme of the failure of successive governments to realise the post-war aspiration of community care for older people.
The caring relationship: elderly people and their families
- Authors:
- QURESHI Hazel, WALKER Alan
- Publisher:
- Macmillan
- Publication year:
- 1989
- Pagination:
- 303p., tables, bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
Based on interviews with a sample of people aged over 75 and their informal carers, investigates in depth what the caring relationship actually means to those elderly people and carers on a day to day basis.
Ageing and social policy : a critical perspective
- Editors:
- PHILLIPSON Chris, WALKER Alan
- Publisher:
- Gower
- Publication year:
- 1986
- Pagination:
- 334p., tables, bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Aldershot
Active ageing: a strategic policy solution to demographic ageing in the European Union
- Authors:
- WALKER Alan, MALTBY Tony
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Social Welfare, 21(S1), October 2002, pp.S117-S130.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Across the European Union, there has been a shift from a society that is predominantly young to one which is dominated by older cohorts. The ageing of European countries has widespread implications for current and future social and economic policies across the region. This article examines the emergence of discourses on ageing at the EU level, in particular concentrating on those concerning the increasingly universal policy concept of ‘active ageing’. The problem with active ageing is that it lacks a precise universally accepted definition. The dominant policy paradigm is the economic one of working longer. The main purposes of this article are to explain why this strategy has emerged and its importance. Despite a great deal of positive political rhetoric, the response at all levels of policy making has been rather limited. An active social and public policy is required to mainstream active ageing as the leading paradigm for ageing policy across the EU. The year 2012 has been designated the’ European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity Between the Generations’, and thus offers a potential focus for renewed policy action.
Growing older in a black and ethnic minority group
- Editors:
- WALKER Alan, NORTHMORE Simon, (eds.)
- Publisher:
- Age Concern
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Pagination:
- 56p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
Growing older in a black and ethnic minority group represents the results in this area of four research studies from the ESRC Growing Older Programme 2005. The ESRC's Growing Older (GO) Programme is the largest social sciences research programme on ageing ever mounted in the UK.
Researching quality of life in old age
- Authors:
- WALKER Alan, MARTIMO Kristiina
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing, 1(1), September 2000, pp.8-14.
- Publisher:
- Pier Professional
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
This article focuses on researching quality of life in old age. Based on a review of the relevant literature, it argues that research has not reflected sufficiently the multifaceted nature of quality of life and has relied too much on the judgements of professionals rather than older people. It concludes that quality of life research in general has under-emphasised the importance of material factors in people's lives. With regard to older people, research shows that relatively poor quality of life, as reported by older people themselves, is associated with only a minority and, among this minority, twice the proportion of older women to men. The article ends with an outlines of the new Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Growing Older Research Programme on Extending Quality Life, which in three years time promises to provide usable information for policy makers and practitioners about the determinants of quality of life in old age.
Combating age discrimination in employment: education versus legislation
- Authors:
- TAYLOR Philip, WALKER Alan
- Journal article citation:
- Policy Studies, 16(3), Autumn 1995, pp.52-61.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Recent research can inform discussion about the best way to attack age discrimination in employment. The authors compare two main approaches.