Evaluation of the Third Age series : final report.

The "Third Age" series comprised 10 programmes transmitted between October 21st and December 23rd 1993, on BBC2 at 2.00pm on Thursdays. The series succeeded others for I older viewers, such as "Prime Time", but was to be of a very different character, both in terms of its "message" and format. The BBC also produced a free magazine to accompany the series, with financial support from the European Commission as part of the European I Year of the Elderly and Solidarity between the generations. The title, "The Third Age\u27, refers to that time of life after a person\u27s main career or job has finished and children have left home and before the "Fourth Age", the time of increasing frailty, dependence and finally, death. Broadly speaking this is the years between ages 50 and 75, which now accounts for about 13 million people in Britain. Unlike the common social images of old age, the vast majority of these people are fit, active and independent. The research had two objectives. Firstly, information has been provided on reactions to the programme, in terms of likes and dislikes, viewing preferences and behaviours and attitudes towards the programmes. However, a second and more fundamental aim has been to assess whether the series has had an impact on the attitudes and behaviour of its target audience. Did the underlying message of the programme - to make the most out of life in the later years -get translated into new ways of thinking about later life and the uptake of new activities, hobbies and interests? This question was approached in two ways: (1) by asking viewers whether the programmes had influenced them; and (2) by independently monitoring changes in attitudes and behaviour

The Eldonian Care of the Elderly Project

The Institute of Human Ageing was commissioned by the Eldonian Development Trust to undertake a feasibility study into the setting-up of an initiative in the provision of community care for the elderly in the Vauxhall and North Liverpool area. The research began in January 1993 and covered three main areas: (1) Needs of older people and carers: The key to the project is to understand the needs of elderly people and their carers from their perspective and to look to develop consumer-driven services in Vauxhall. To this end we have interviewed 50 people in the Vauxhall area. In addition the views of experts and professionals involved in care of the elderly in the statutory and independent sectors have been elicited. From a quantitative perspective, a detailed examination of statistical sources has been undertaken to estimate the potential market for community care in North Liverpool. (2) Funding/contractual component: Local Authority service purchasers under the new community care framework have been contacted, to examine the development of care funding arrangements in Liverpool. (3) Training and enterprise component: An aim of the initiative is to develop services in the Vauxhall area that will attract funding and generate employment opportunities. Developing an appropriate skill base through training will be a key part of the initiative. Responsibility for this element of the project is with Jane Hobson of Manchester Consulting Group. It is recognised that specific recommendations regarding training are not possible until a clear business plan has been developed

Concepts of good practice in residential and nursing homes for elderly people

This unit has the following aims: 1. To help students get a better understanding of old age; 2. To show that old age is not just about physical changes to the body, but about other factors, such as people\u27s attitudes and ageism; and 3. To see how ageism can affect the services we provide to older people

COVID-19 and AgeTech

Purpose This paper aims to provide an overview of the emerging AgeTech sector and highlight key areas for research and development that have emerged under COVID-19, as well as some of the challenges to real-world implementation.   Design/methodology/approach The paper is a commentary on emerging issues in the AgeTech sector, with particular reference to COVID-19. Information used in this paper is drawn from the Canadian AGE-WELL network.   Findings The COVID-19 pandemic has particularly impacted older adults. Technology has increasingly been seen as a solution to support older adults during this time. AgeTech refers to the use of existing and emerging advanced technologies, such as digital media, information and communication technologies (ICTs), mobile technologies, wearables and smart home systems, to help keep older adults connected and to deliver health and community services.   Research limitations/implications Despite the potential of AgeTech, key challenges remain such as structural barriers to larger-scale implementation, the need to focus on quality of service rather than crisis management and addressing the digital divide.   Practical implications AgeTech helps older adults to stay healthy and active, increases their safety and security, supports independent living and reduces isolation. In particular, technology can support older adults and caregivers in their own homes and communities and meet the desire of most older adults to age in place.   Social implications AgeTech is helpful in assisting older adults to stay connected. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the importance of the informal social connections and supports within families, communities and voluntary organizations.   Originality/value The last months have seen a huge upsurge in COVID-19-related research and development, as funding organizations, research institutions and companies pivot to meet the challenges thrown up by the pandemic. This paper looks at the potential role of technology to support older adults and caregivers. Keywords: dementia; technology; telemedicine; older adults; assisted living; social isolation; COVID-19; assistive devices; AgeTech

Evaluation of the Alzheimer\u27s Disease Society South Cleveland Project

The South Cleveland branch of the Alzheimer\u27s Disease Society (ADS) asked the Institute of Human Ageing of the University of Liverpool to undertake a comprehensive evaluation of their project in South Cleveland. In South Cleveland the ADS has a well-developed programme of day care and carer counselling, together with a range of other support services, such as a sitting service and information service. The evaluation focused on the following issues: What is the impact of the project on the lives of the carers? Are carers coping longer and what is the effect on their quality of life? What aspects of the service have had the most impact? Are the services meeting the needs of all carers? Where could improvements be made? Assessment of the care provided for sufferers: Are sufferers being provided with a high quality of care? What are the implications of different levels of disability? What effect has the project had on other services in South Cleveland? What is the level of I need for services in the local community? Does the ADS project play a significant role within the overall pattern of care in the district?Public awareness of Alzheimer\u27s Disease: Are members of the public aware of AD and its effects? What profile does the ADS have within the local community? Has the ADS had any effect on raising public awareness of AD? The evaluation touched on a wide range of issues, which demanded a range of methodologies. Interviews were conducted with carers, ADS staff and with professionals from other organisations that deal with care of the elderly and the elderly mentally ill. A self-completion questionnaire was also sent to carers, which provided essential background information on their experiences of being a carer and their attitudes towards available services. All the ADS slay centres were visited during the course of the research. On these visits, observational research was undertaken, together with interviews with volunteer workers and sufferers and dependency assessments of clients. Public awareness of AD in South Cleveland was assessed by undertaking a Street survey in Middlesborough, which generated a random sample of some 300 respondents. The field research was undertaken over a 12 month period in 1990 and 1991

A Scoping Review Exploration of the Intended and Unintended Consequences of eHealth on Older People:A Health Equity Impact Assessment

eHealth is one perceived mechanism to extend the range and reach of limited health-care resources for older adults. A decade-scoping review (2007–2017) was conducted to systematically search and synthesize evidence to understand the intended and unintended consequences of eHealth initiatives, informed by a health equity impact assessment framework. Scoping review sources included international academic and grey literature on eHealth initiatives (e.g., eHealth records, telemedicine/telecare, and mobile eHealth application) focused on the varying needs of older adults (aged 60+), particularly individuals experiencing sociocultural and economic difficulties. Findings suggest that eHealth has several potential benefits for older adults, but also the possibility of further excluding already marginalized groups, thereby exacerbating existing health disparities. Ongoing evaluation of eHealth initiatives for older adults is necessary and requires attention to unique individual-level, socioeconomic, and cultural characteristics to heighten benefits and better capture both the intended and unintended outcomes of advanced eHealth systems.peerReviewe

Equity in AgeTech for Ageing Well in Technology-Driven Places:The Role of Social Determinants in Designing AI-based Assistive Technologies

AgeTech involves the use of emerging technologies to support the health, well-being and independent living of older adults. In this paper we focus on how AgeTech based on artificial intelligence (AI) may better support older adults to remain in their own living environment for longer, provide social connectedness, support wellbeing and mental health, and enable social participation. In order to assess and better understand the positive as well as negative outcomes of AI-based AgeTech, a critical analysis of ethical design, digital equity, and policy pathways is required. A crucial question is how AI-based AgeTech may drive practical, equitable, and inclusive multilevel solutions to support healthy, active ageing. In our paper, we aim to show that a focus on equity is key for AI-based AgeTech if it is to realize its full potential. We propose that equity should not just be an extra benefit or minimum requirement, but the explicit aim of designing AI-based health tech. This means that social determinants that affect the use of or access to these technologies have to be addressed. We will explore how complexity management as a crucial element of AI-based AgeTech may potentially create and exacerbate social inequities by marginalising or ignoring social determinants. We identify bias, standardization, and access as main ethical issues in this context and subsequently, make recommendations as to how inequities that stem form AI-based AgeTech can be addressed