The Elder Magazine
Understanding ‘Home First’ – Featuring an interview with Sarah Mitchell
The Elder Interview Understanding ‘Home First’ – Featuring an interview with Sarah Mitchell As we enter a further national lockdown, in the face of a second COVID-19 wave, it’s important to pause and reflect on the lessons of this past year – one of which has to be from the tragic spread of the virus […]
Interview: IPPR on the future of care after COVID-19
The Elder Interview A new social contract for carers after COVID-19: An interview with the IPPR Chris Thomas is a Senior Research Fellow at the progressive think tank, the Institute for Public Policy Research. His work there focuses on a variety of issues surrounding health and social care and he recently co-authored a report, Care […]
Interview: Dr Liz Forbat and Lorraine-Davies Smith
Getting the support and assistance of a professional family therapist can be an extremely effective way of bringing the family together to talk and listen to each other’s thoughts and feelings. We speak with two key members of the Association of Family Therapy, Dr Liz Forbat and Lorraine-Davies Smith.
Interview: Rachael Maskell MP, APPG Ageing and Older People
Rachael Maskell MP is Chair of the APPG on Ageing and Older People. We talked about the work of the group, how she helps constituents with issues around care funding, and the future of social care.
Elder Attitudes Survey: How COVID-19 is impacting the life and outlook of the elderly
Elder Attitudes Survey Elder Attitudes Survey: How COVID-19 is impacting the life and outlook of the elderly The latest Elder Attitudes survey has explored how the elderly are coping in the ‘new normal’. The research, conducted in June 2020, explores the way in which COVID-19 is impacting lives and reshaping attitudes among the elderly – […]
Interview: Andrew Farley, Care to be Different
The Elder Interview How to get what you deserve: An interview with Andrew Farley on NHS Continuing Healthcare Andrew Farley is one of the UK’s foremost experts on NHS Continuing Healthcare funding (CHC). Along with his business partner, he runs Farley Dwek solicitors, where he leads the CHC team. He also owns Care to be […]
Interview: Helen Moulinos, POhWER
The Elder Interview On your side: The power of advocacy in health and social care – an interview with Helen Moulinos, POhWER Helen Moulinos is Chief Executive of advocacy charity, POhWER. It supports people who find it difficult to express their views or get the support they need. This could be because of disability, illness, […]
Live-in care agency finds 1 in 3 elderly people more lonely in wake of COVID-19
News Live-in care agency finds 1 in 3 elderly people more lonely in wake of COVID-19 Our recent study into the impact of COVID-19 on the elderly has found a huge increase in loneliness since the lockdown was put in place. – Live-in care agency also finds one in five of respondents over 70 speak […]
“Government coronavirus advice – where is it going wrong?”: An Interview with Dr Robert Dingwall
The Elder Interview “Government coronavirus advice – where is it going wrong?”: An Interview with Dr Robert Dingwall Robert Dingwall is a Professor at Nottingham Trent University and one of the UK’s leading sociologists, having advised on government policy for pandemics since the Blair government of the early 2000s. He is currently part of two […]
Improve Memory and Mental Health: 25 Brain Games for the Elderly
Learn Improve Memory and Mental Health: 25 Brain Games for the Elderly As we grow older, while physical fitness is still important, so is exercising the mind. Keeping the brain active can be carried out through various avenues such as memory games for improving memory, stimulating puzzles or traditional card games. Here we’ve listed 25 […]
16 Stimulating Dementia Activities To Try With Your Loved One
Learn 16 Stimulating Dementia Activities To Try With Your Loved One For those living with certain health conditions, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, engaging in stimulating activities is key in preventing feelings of frustration and boredom. Whether your loved one is cared for by you, or they have a personal live-in caregiver, it’s crucial […]
The Impact of Social Isolation on the Human Brain: An Interview with Dr Sarita Robinson
The Elder Interview The Impact of Social Isolation on the Human Brain: An Interview with Dr Sarita Robinson Sarita Robinson is Principal Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Central Lancashire and one of the UK’s leading researchers into the neurophysiological effects of stress and isolation. She has conducted extensive studies into loneliness, its effect […]
Self-isolating While Providing and Receiving Care: An Interview with Selina Rajan, Public Health at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
The Elder Interview Self-isolating While Providing and Receiving Care: An Interview with Selina Rajan, Public Health at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Selina is a Research Fellow at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine specialising in health system advocacy. She works for local authorities and care trusts across the UK, having […]
The Psychological Effects of Self-Isolating on the Elderly: An Interview with Dr. Louisa Jackman
The Elder Interview The Psychological Effects of Self-Isolating on the Elderly: An Interview with Dr. Louisa Jackman Dr. Jackman is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist, specialising in Neuropsychology and with the psychology of Older Adults. She is a full-time lecturer at the University of Manchester, having worked as a clinical psychologist in the NHS for almost […]
Egon Cossou on Being a Family Carer and BBC presenter
The Elder Interview Egon Cossou on Being a Family Carer and BBC presenter Producer and presenter Egon Cossou combines a busy job at the BBC with caring for his mother, who is blind, at her home in Edmonton in north London. We talked to him about the joys of reconnecting with cherished parents in later […]
How Lifelogging Can Help Those Living with Dementia: An Interview with Cathal Gurrin
The Elder Interview How Lifelogging Can Help Those Living with Dementia: An Interview with Cathal Gurrin Could we use personal data to turn our past into a ‘search engine’ for memory support? Computer scientist Cathal Gurrin thinks lifelogging, recording a person’s everyday experience through sensors and cameras, could benefit those living with dementia. We talk […]
Taking National Care Local: An Interview with The Health Foundation on the Government’s New Budget
The Elder Interview Taking National Care Local: An Interview with The Health Foundation on the Government’s New Budget The Health Foundation is an independent charity aimed at improving health and care for people in the UK – both in quality and equal access. Its work aims to create a healthier population, through research, grants and […]
An Interview with Legal & General: £20m Care Research Programme Launches Before Government Budget Announced
The Elder Interview An Interview with Legal & General: £20m Care Research Programme Launches Before Government Budget Announced February 2020 saw the launch of the UK’s new Advanced Care Research Centre (ACRC), a unique partnership between Edinburgh University and Legal & General Group (L&G), the UK’s largest pension fund investor and a leading provider of […]
Not Just Caring, Enabling: Anne Kelly on the Montessori Approach to Dementia Care
The Elder Interview Not Just Caring, Enabling: Anne Kelly on the Montessori Approach to Dementia Care Montessori for Dementia and Ageing is an innovative approach to aged care. It empowers people living with dementia by creating an environment that allows them to live as independently as possible. Director of Montessori Consulting in Australia, Anne Kelly, […]
How poor dental health may leave you at a higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease
Learn How poor dental health may leave you at a higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease I’ve been practising dentistry for more than 20 years and work with my patients to have the best dental health which could reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Today we’ll dive into the link between dental health and Alzheimer’s […]
Living Words and The Power of Being Heard: An Interview with Susanna Howard
The Elder Interview Living Words and The Power of Being Heard: An Interview with Susanna Howard Living Words is an arts and literature organisation through which writers and artists work with those living with dementia, often in late-stage, to enable them to express themselves on the page. The aim is for individuals to feel understood […]
Caring for the Nation: An Interview with Barbara Keeley
The Elder Interview Caring for the Nation: An Interview with Barbara Keeley With the launch of its manifesto last week, the Labour Party’s ambitious plan for a National Care Service has come under the spotlight. We talked to Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Social Care, Barbara Keeley, about the challenges the country faces in […]
The Hidden Housing Crisis: An Interview with Lord Best
The Elder Interview The Hidden Housing Crisis: An Interview with Lord Best British social housing leader, Lord Richard Best is an independent crossbencher in the House of Lords and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Housing and Care for Older People. Ahead of last year’s general election, we discussed the pressing issues […]
How a “sing-along” with Goldies is changing the lives of isolated people across the UK
The Elder Interview How a “sing-along” with Goldies is changing the lives of isolated people across the UK When choirmaster Grenville Jones set up the first Golden Oldies in 2007, he had no idea that his singing groups for older people would take off so successfully. With over 200 regular sessions now held across the […]
The Power of Community: An Interview with Symone from the Sevenoaks Dementia Forum
The Elder Interview The Power of Community: An Interview with Symone from the Sevenoaks Dementia Forum Community and multi-agency cooperation are key to creating inclusive and supportive environments for those with dementia says Symone Salwan of the Sevenoaks Area Dementia Friendly Community Forum. Along with her co-founder Elaine Murray, she is focused on making this […]
Smart Monitoring in Homes: An Interview with Howz
The Elder Interview Smart Monitoring in Homes: An Interview with Howz The phone rings, but no one answers. Should you be worried? Or has your elderly relative just popped to the shops? In the past, there was no way to find out other than by visiting – not always easy for the sandwich generation or […]
The Challenges of Vegetarians and Vegans Living with Dementia
The Elder Interview The Challenges of Vegetarians and Vegans Living with Dementia The choice to be a vegetarian or vegan often comes with deeply held beliefs and is a key part of someone’s identity. So what happens in later life when people are not able to shop and cook for themselves – or even, in […]
Looking Back Together: Transforming Reminiscence for Older People and Those Living with Dementia
The Elder Interview Looking Back Together: Transforming Reminiscence for Older People and Those Living with Dementia Looking Back Together: How a social film archive is transforming reminiscence for older people and those living with dementia Living Memories is a not-for-profit social enterprise using an archive of social and industrial history programmes from the 1940s to […]
Why employers need to care to avoid generational trade-offs
Why employers need to care to avoid generational trade-offs A new report out today shows up to 20% of us think we’ll have to sacrifice our careers to support someone we love. While only 6% of employers think it’s a problem. Let me tell you a story about a decision that, if today’s report is […]
Life After Diagnosis: Connecting with Those Living with Dementia
The Elder Interview Life After Diagnosis: Connecting with Those Living with Dementia “We can meaningfully connect with people living with advanced dementia. We just have to intuitively know how.” Exeter Dementia Action Alliance founder Gina Awad talks about what inspires her activism Recently awarded the British Empire Medal for her services to dementia awareness, Devon-based […]
Picassos in the Park: An Interview with Founders Chloe Trayler-Smith and Laura Chevalier
The Elder Interview Picassos in the Park: An Interview with Founders Chloe Trayler-Smith and Laura Chevalier “People with dementia don’t always see things like we do” – how art history and painting are helping those with early stage dementia When Chloe Trayler-Smith and Laura Chevalier expanded their successful Picassos in the Park art programme for […]
How to Age Without Fear and Be Bolder: An Interview with Dominique Afacan
The Elder Interview How to Age Without Fear and Be Bolder: An Interview with Dominique Afacan “Life Lessons from People Older and Wiser than You” – how Bolder is offering up new perspectives on ageing. When thirty-something friends Dominique Afacan and Helen Cathcart set up Bolder to try and conquer their fear of ageing they […]
More Than Your Thoughts: How Meditation Can Expand Your World in Later Life
The Elder Interview More Than Your Thoughts: How Meditation Can Expand Your World in Later Life Having studied and taught meditation for over 35 years throughout the US, Canada and Europe, Bart Mendel founded Mindworks, an online meditation system, to help a wider audience experience the transformative benefits. We talked to him about the mental […]
What Dementia Has Taught Wendy Mitchell: Why She is No Longer Afraid
The Elder Interview What Dementia Has Taught Wendy Mitchell: Why She is No Longer Afraid Author of Sunday Times bestseller Somebody I Used to Know, Wendy Mitchell is passionate about exploring the experience of living with dementia through her writing. We talked to her about how her own dementia has changed her sense of self, […]
How Faith Communities Can Support Living with Dementia
The Elder Interview How Faith Communities Can Support Living with Dementia How can faith and faith communities play a role in supporting those with dementia and their carers? We talked to policy advisor of FaithAction and author of Building Dementia-Friendly Faith Communities, Rodie Garland about what faiths can offer in terms of community for those […]
Living with Dementia: What Dementia Teaches Us About Love
The Elder Interview Living with Dementia: What Dementia Teaches Us About Love “With dementia the world floods in and the self floods out” – Nicci Gerrard, Author and Co-founder of John’s Campaign, talks about dementia, the essence of identity and the questions raised in her new book ‘What Dementia Teaches Us About Love.’ Why did […]
Working Smart: Responding to the Challenges of Carers in the Workplace
The Elder Interview Working Smart: Responding to the Challenges of Carers in the Workplace Employers for Carers is a forum for employers committed to developing good practice to support the 1 in 7 people at work who are caring for ill, frail or disabled family members or friends. We talked to Katherine Wilson, who played a key role […]
Declaring independence from loneliness: Simon from Independent Age
The Elder Interview Declaring independence from loneliness: Simon from Independent Age With 1.2 million chronically lonely people, we spoke with Simon Hewett-Avison from Independent Age on tackling the stigma of loneliness. What does Independent Age do? Independent Age was established over 150 years ago now, to help older people who had fallen on hard times. […]
Philip Harper: LGBTQ+ People and Dementia
The Elder Interview Philip Harper: LGBTQ+ People and Dementia Philip Harper, Associate Lecturer at the University of Worcester, discusses dementia and LGBTQ+ issues. Philip Harper is an Associate Lecturer at the University of Worcester and holds a bachelor’s degree in Health Science with postgraduate qualifications in practice development for dementia care. At the moment he […]
The Longevity Dividend: The Economic Benefit of Living Longer
The Elder Interview The Longevity Dividend: The Economic Benefit of Living Longer By 2030 there will be over 20 million older people in the UK. What that later life boom looks like depends on the social and economic solutions and we lay down now – and the innovations we embrace. UK specialist think tank, the […]
Put choice at the heart of social care reform
News Put choice at the heart of social care reform With social care, let’s not allow debates on funding and ‘free-at-the-point-of-use’ blind us from the actual care that’s being delivered. While the NHS is loved throughout the UK, there’s a very common narrative that the current system is ‘broken’, ‘not fit for purpose’, ‘bursting at […]
Why The PinkNews Ageing Summit Is So Important
The Elder Interview Why The PinkNews Ageing Summit Is So Important This week saw the first ever PinkNews Ageing Summit, sponsored by Elder, a conference designed to generate awareness and solutions to the issues faced by those in later life who are LGBT+. We talked to Cai Wilshaw, Head of Strategic Partnerships at PinkNews, about […]
Living Long and Well: The Role of Physiotherapy
The Elder Interview Living Long and Well: The Role of Physiotherapy As CEO of The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Karen Middleton is passionate about the role physiotherapy has to play in enabling people to live long and live well. We talked to her about how crucial it is to stay active for optimum health and […]
Living with Dementia: The Power of Connection through Words
The Elder Interview Living with Dementia: The Power of Connection through Words Journalist, speaker and campaigner Pippa Kelly is one of the foremost writers about ageing and dementia in the UK. Author of the novel Invisible Ink, she also writes an award-winning blog on dementia and caring. We talked to her about the power of […]
Digital Health and Dementia: The Potential is Immense
The Elder Interview Digital Health and Dementia: The Potential is Immense The potential of the digital health space to help those with non-communicable diseases including dementia is immense, according to Dr. Kieren Egan. We spoke to him about his research at the University of Strathclyde and the importance of developing innovations in collaboration with those […]
Understanding Equity Release in Later Life with Jim Boyd, CEO at The Equity Release Council
The Elder Interview Understanding Equity Release in Later Life with Jim Boyd, CEO at The Equity Release Council Since 2012, the Equity Release Council has been the representative trade association for the UK equity release sector, setting the standards and safeguards for its members – building on the pioneering work of its predecessor organisation Safe […]
Culture Change and Dementia Care: Why The Two Should be Intertwined
The Elder Interview Culture Change and Dementia Care: Why The Two Should be Intertwined Claire Surr is Professor of Dementia Studies at Leeds Beckett University and set up the Leeds Beckett Dementia Centre. She has been involved in dementia research for over 20 years – focusing on the challenges of dementia workforce education and training […]
The Invisible Demographic: Empowering those Growing Older Without Children
The Elder Interview The Invisible Demographic: Empowering those Growing Older Without Children With over a million older people ageing without children and the bulk of unpaid care in the UK provided by family, there is a real urgency for age organisations and policy makers to acknowledge the issue, says Ageing Well Without Children founder Kirsty […]
Smart Ageing: Inspiring Innovation in the Ageing Space with Nesta
The Elder Interview Smart Ageing: Inspiring Innovation in the Ageing Space with Nesta The Smart Ageing Prize aims to inspire innovation in the ageing space – this year looking at overcoming the problems of social isolation through digital technologies. Run by Innovation foundation Nesta’s Challenge Prize Centre and The Active and Assistive Living (AAL) Programme, […]
Reducing Loneliness and Social Isolation: How No Isolation is Challenging Loneliness in the Modern Age
The Elder Interview Reducing Loneliness and Social Isolation: How No Isolation is Challenging Loneliness in the Modern Age Norwegian start-up No Isolation is on a mission to reduce loneliness and social isolation through technology. Focusing on the groups most vulnerable to disconnection in society, its products include KOMP – a one-button computer that helps people […]
Defining Ageing as a Privilege: Viewing Ageing in a New Light with Carl Honoré
The Elder Interview Defining Ageing as a Privilege: Viewing Ageing in a New Light with Carl Honoré His international bestseller In Praise of Slow inspired a ‘slow revolution’ against the “cult of speed” in modern life, now author Carl Honoré is turning his attention to how we view ageing with his new book Bolder, out […]
Intergenerational Care: Apples and Honey Nightingale, the UK’s First Nursery/Care Home
The Elder Interview Intergenerational Care: Apples and Honey Nightingale, the UK’s First Nursery/Care Home Intergenerational learning programs are only just beginning to gain momentum in the UK, and the aim of it is quite simple; to bring individuals from different generations together to learn and share experiences. Judith Ish-Horowicz MBE is the Principle of Apples […]
Growing Older: Why Wales Can Become the Best Place in the World to Grow Older
The Elder Interview Growing Older: Why Wales Can Become the Best Place in the World to Grow Older Formerly chief executive of the charity Carers UK, Heléna Herklots took up the role of Older People’s Commissioner for Wales in 2018. She is the third Commissioner for Wales, a ground-breaking role that was established in 2008 […]
Parkinson’s disease: The Developments and Challenges of New Brain Therapies
The Elder Interview Parkinson’s disease: The Developments and Challenges of New Brain Therapies Dr. Emma Lane leads a research group in Parkinson’s disease (preclinical and clinical) at Cardiff University in conjunction with the BRAIN Unit, a Health and Care Research Wales-funded research unit working to develop new therapies for brain diseases. We talked to her […]
Age-Friendly Manchester: Amplifying the Voice of Older People in Society
The Elder Interview Age-Friendly Manchester: Amplifying the Voice of Older People in Society Part of the Age-Friendly Manchester programme since its inception in the late ’90s, Susan Cooley has been at the forefront of the city’s move to age inclusivity. In 2010 Manchester was granted Age-Friendly status by the World Health Organization – becoming the […]
Travels with my Granny: Helping Children to Understand Dementia
The Elder Interview Travels with my Granny: Helping Children to Understand Dementia Children’s book Travels with my Granny is a sensitive introduction to old-age confusion and dementia, through the loving and imaginative relationship between Granny and her grandchild – and their journeys together. We talk to journalist and author Juliet Rix about the inspiration behind […]
Digital Health Interventions: The Low Carb Programme Disrupting Diabetes Healthcare
The Elder Interview Digital Health Interventions: The Low Carb Programme Disrupting Diabetes Healthcare Dubbed ‘the world’s largest grassroots revolution’ in nutrition science, Diabetes Digital Media’s Low Carb Programme has disrupted healthcare by providing scalable digital solutions that achieve positive health outcomes. The organisation’s work, which includes the provision of Diabetes.co.uk, has been using big data […]
The Power of Safety Innovation: Simple Safeguarding for People in Vulnerable Circumstances
The Elder Interview The Power of Safety Innovation: Simple Safeguarding for People in Vulnerable Circumstances Managing the network that distributes natural and green gas to 5.9 million homes and businesses across Scotland and the south of England, the gas distribution company SGN is so much more than just 71,000 km of pipes. Putting the customer […]
Community Spirit: Exploring Dementia Care and Support in Rural Areas
The Elder Interview Community Spirit: Exploring Dementia Care and Support in Rural Areas Anthea Innes was appointed as the University of Salford’s first Professor of Dementia in 2016 and is the Director of the Salford Institute for Dementia. We talked to her about her research in rural dementia care and the importance of community spirit […]
Understanding Parkinson’s: Treating Early Symptoms and Isolating Underlying Causes
The Elder Interview Understanding Parkinson’s: Treating Early Symptoms and Isolating Underlying Causes Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition, for which there is currently no cure. However, breakthroughs in treating early symptoms and understanding underlying genetic causes mean that it is an exciting time for scientists in the field. Dr Arthur Roach, Head of Research for […]
Improving Dementia Care: Addressing Inequality in Post-Diagnostic Support
The Elder Interview Improving Dementia Care: Addressing Inequality in Post-Diagnostic Support Professor Louise Robinson was a key figure in Newcastle University’s recent successful bid to become one of the Alzheimer’s Society’s new Centres of Excellence. The Centre’s £2m grant will fund research into the ‘postcode lottery’ of post-diagnostic support for people with dementia – and […]
Food for Life: Improving Nutrition and Encouraging Sociable Mealtimes in Later Life
The Elder Interview Food for Life: Improving Nutrition and Encouraging Sociable Mealtimes in Later Life As Head of Service Design for Food for Life, Francesca Sanders works to bring the voice of the user into the design of services including Better Care; a Lottery funded project that aims to improve wellbeing and nutrition among people […]
Digital Innovation for Carers: Utilising Everyday Technology to Implement Better Care
The Elder Interview Digital Innovation for Carers: Utilising Everyday Technology to Implement Better Care Can technology help unpaid carers and empower those in later life to live at home longer? For Madeleine Starr, Director of business development and innovation at Carers UK, normalising the use of everyday tech such as apps, remote monitoring and smart […]
Medicine Management: Improving Healthcare Quality Through Pharmacy Practice Research
The Elder Interview Medicine Management: Improving Healthcare Quality Through Pharmacy Practice Research Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice at the University of Reading, Dr Rosemary Lim’s research looks at how to improve patient safety and healthcare quality – specifically relating to the use of medicines. We talked to her about her work in this area – around […]
The Significance of Investment into Research to Meet the Growing Challenges of Dementia
The Elder Interview The Significance of Investment into Research to Meet the Growing Challenges of Dementia Last year, Alzheimer’s Society announced its biggest-ever single investment in dementia care research, awarding a total of £6 million to the first three of its ‘Centres of Excellence’. We talked to the Society’s Head of Research, Development and Evaluation, […]
Helpline to Lifeline: The Power of a Simple Conversation to Tackle Loneliness
The Elder Interview Helpline to Lifeline: The Power of a Simple Conversation to Tackle Loneliness The Silver Line is the only free, confidential helpline, providing help, advice and friendship to older people, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service, set up by Esther Rantzen, also offers weekly friendship calls, a letter writing […]
Integrating Care: Finding Commonality Between Organisations to Implement Best Practise
The Elder Interview Integrating Care: Finding Commonality Between Organisations to Implement Best Practise Neil Chadborn’s research focuses on inter-professional and inter-organisational aspects of integrated care for older people. He is currently involved in the PEACH project, to understand how a Quality Improvement Collaborative (QIC) can help organise healthcare services in care homes – and has […]
Ageing in Place: What is Technology Enabled Care?
The Elder Interview Ageing in Place: What is Technology Enabled Care? TSA, which stands for TEC Services Association, is the governing body for Technology Enabled Care (TEC), representing over 370 organisations from Local Authorities to business, which commission, provide and supply technologies such as telehealth, telecare, and telemedicine. We spoke to CEO Alyson Scurfield about […]
The Unsung Heroes: Support for the Growing Number of Unpaid Carers
The Elder Interview The Unsung Heroes: Support for the Growing Number of Unpaid Carers Carers Trust provides essential services that help unpaid carers who are supporting a family, a friend, a family member, husband, wife or partner on an ongoing, regular basis. We talk to Giles Meyer, Chief Executive of Carers Trust about the challenges […]
Ageing Science and Wellbeing: Translating Scientific Research into Tangible Social Benefits
The Elder Interview Ageing Science and Wellbeing: Translating Scientific Research into Tangible Social Benefits Professor James Goodwin is the Chief Scientist for Age UK and is its resident expert on all issues of ageing science and research into later life. We talked to him about creating the pioneering Wellbeing Index and the importance of translating […]
Living Well with Dementia and Preventing Decline Through the Provision of Psychosocial Interventions
The Elder Interview Living Well with Dementia and Preventing Decline Through the Provision of Psychosocial Interventions As Professor of Applied Dementia Research at the University of Bradford, Gail Mountain uses her background as an occupational therapist to inform her research into psychosocial – or non-drug related – interventions. These are designed to sustain/ improve independence […]
The Study of Ageing: Understanding Frailty to Deliver Impactful Healthcare
The Elder Interview The Study of Ageing: Understanding Frailty to Deliver Impactful Healthcare The British Geriatrics Society (BGS) is an organisation for healthcare professionals involved in the care of older people, working to improve health in later life. Members include doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists – as well as scientists working on the […]
To Save, or Not to Save: The Question of Prioritising Pensions and Provision for Later Life
The Elder Interview To Save, or Not to Save: The Question of Prioritising Pensions and Provision for Later Life What do people think about their workplace pension and what motivates them to pay into it? Why do some people prioritise pension savings and others put it off – and what alternatives do people see for […]
The Fundamental Right to Quality Social Care: The Challenges of the Care Sector and its Workforce
The Elder Interview The Fundamental Right to Quality Social Care: The Challenges of the Care Sector and its Workforce The largest representative body for independent care services in England, Care England works to create a social and political environment in which care providers can deliver and develop high quality care for all. We talked to […]
Addressing Ageism: How Data Can Change Society’s Perception of Our Ageing Population
The Elder Interview Addressing Ageism: How Data Can Change Society’s Perception of Our Ageing Population Age International is part of the Age UK group and works to help older people in low and middle income countries, as the UK member of the HelpAge International Global Network. It supports older people in developing countries by improving […]
Defining Dignity in Later Life: The Role Identity, Empowerment and Agency Can Have in Improving Care
The Elder Interview Defining Dignity in Later Life: The Role Identity, Empowerment and Agency Can Have in Improving Care Liz Lloyd’s work on dignity in later life looks at what contributes to a dignified life in different environments in the ageing space – from social perceptions of age to the practicalities of the care home […]
Best Practice in Care Environments: Seeing People in Later Life as Individuals, Not as Conditions
The Elder Interview Best Practice in Care Environments: Seeing People in Later Life as Individuals, Not as Conditions Professor of Nursing at City, University of London and executive director of My Home Life, an initiative that promotes quality of life and positive change in care homes, Julienne Meyer is passionate about best practice in care […]
Vitamin D Deficiency and Developing Dementia: The Supplement May One Day Play a Powerful Role in Prevention
The Elder Interview Vitamin D Deficiency and Developing Dementia: The Supplement May One Day Play a Powerful Role in Prevention The pioneering work by Dr David Llewellyn and his colleagues at the University of Exeter on the relationship between vitamin D levels and developing dementia is one of the most exciting – and promising – […]
Representing the Underrepresented: Empowering Conversations About Learning Disabilities and Dementia
The Elder Interview Representing the Underrepresented: Empowering Conversations About Learning Disabilities and Dementia Former chief executive of Down’s Syndrome Scotland, Dr Karen Watchman’s current research is focused on non-pharmacological support for people with learning disabilities who have dementia. She is a passionate advocate for improved training around dementia and learning disability and helped to create […]
The Ageless Quality of Dance: Challenging Perceptions of What People Can Achieve in Later Life
The Elder Interview The Ageless Quality of Dance: Challenging Perceptions of What People Can Achieve in Later Life Sadler’s Wells’ pioneering Company of Elders – whose dancers range from 60 to 89 years old – has been pushing the boundaries of dance for over 20 years. The dancers’ powerful performances in the UK and internationally […]
Where’s Your Head At? The Importance of Expressing Emotions at Every Age, Mental Health Foundation
The Elder Interview Where’s Your Head At? The Importance of Expressing Emotions at Every Age, Mental Health Foundation The Standing Together Project aims to improve the emotional health and community connections of older people living in supported housing. Over the Project’s two-and-a-half-year run, it has facilitated groups in 19 different housing schemes. Project coordinator and […]
Capturing Dementia Care Stories Through an Unexpected Medium with Dr Simon Grennan, Parables of Care
The Elder Interview Capturing Dementia Care Stories Through an Unexpected Medium with Dr Simon Grennan, Parables of Care Parables of Care is a 16-page micro-comic that presents true stories of creative responses to dementia care, as told by carers and adapted from 100 case studies. Co-creator and illustrator Dr Simon Grennan talks about challenging our […]
Seizing Control of Dementia: Agnes Houston Didn’t Shrink Away From Her Diagnosis, She Rose Up To Meet It
The Elder Interview Seizing Control of Dementia: Agnes Houston Didn’t Shrink Away From Her Diagnosis, She Rose Up To Meet It Diagnosed with early age, early onset dementia at the age of 57, Agnes Houston had to adapt to cognitive and sensory challenges – and cope with a social lack of knowledge and understanding around […]
Your Life, Your Story, Your Care: Paving the Way to More Personalised Care with Life Story Network
The Elder Interview Your Life, Your Story, Your Care: Paving the Way to More Personalised Care with Life Story Network When Jean Tottie took early retirement in 2007 to look after her father who was living with dementia, she discovered life story work, a practice of talking about and recording people’s individual life stories. After […]
The Tea Parties That Cultivate Connections and Combat Loneliness with Contact the Elderly
The Elder Interview The Tea Parties That Cultivate Connections and Combat Loneliness with Contact the Elderly Contact the Elderly organises monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties hosted by volunteers for small groups of older people aged 75 and over, who live alone. These sociable tea parties have been running every month since the first was held […]
Humanising Healthcare: Person-centred Practice Helping Patients and Professionals to Revolutionise the Care System
The Elder Interview Humanising Healthcare: Person-centred Practice Helping Patients and Professionals to Revolutionise the Care System Professor Brendan McCormack is Head of the Division of Nursing and Associate Director at the Centre for Person-centred Practice Research at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. His work on person-centred practice in healthcare has gained international recognition, and he has […]
Stopping Dementia: The Potential for Prevention Research, Dr Raymont – University of Oxford/Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
The Elder Interview Stopping Dementia: The Potential for Prevention Research, Dr Raymont – University of Oxford/Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust Dr Vanessa Raymont is a senior researcher and consultant psychiatrist working in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford and the Centre for Dementia Prevention at the University of Edinburgh. She is also […]
Dementia and Depression in Later Life: Early Biological Changes May One Day Help Us to Predict, Track and Treat Those at Risk
The Elder Interview Dementia and Depression in Later Life: Early Biological Changes May One Day Help Us to Predict, Track and Treat Those at Risk A Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge, Professor John O’Brien’s interests include dementia and later life depression. His work focuses on the role of ‘biomarkers’ […]
The Reality of Dementia: The Importance of Evidence-Based Therapy and Honest Debate
The Elder Interview The Reality of Dementia: The Importance of Evidence-Based Therapy and Honest Debate Listed in the Health Services Journal as one of the fifty most inspirational women in health care, Professor June Andrews directed the Dementia Services Development Centre at the University of Stirling for a decade. Also named one of the 100 […]
Learning Disabilities and Dementia: Providing Effective Care for Those with More Complex Needs
The Elder Interview Learning Disabilities and Dementia: Providing Effective Care for Those with More Complex Needs MacIntyre is a national charity that has been supporting people with learning disabilities for over 50 years. With research indicating that people with a learning disability are more likely to develop dementia, and earlier, there is a challenge to […]
The Care Model That Could Help Solve the Social Care Crisis, Shared Lives Plus
The Elder Interview The Care Model That Could Help Solve the Social Care Crisis, Shared Lives Plus The Shared Lives network offers adults who need support the chance to move in with or regularly visit approved carers around the UK. Sharing family and community life is at the heart of its care model, creating real […]
Brain Games: How Table Tennis Can Slow Cognitive Decline with Bounce Alzheimer’s Therapy
The Elder Interview Brain Games: How Table Tennis Can Slow Cognitive Decline with Bounce Alzheimer’s Therapy Research has indicated that table tennis is the ‘number one brain game’, with real cognitive benefits for those living with dementia. The Bounce Alzheimer’s Therapy (BAT) Foundation is spreading the word, and has created the world’s first therapeutic table […]
Doll Therapy: The Controversial Intervention for People Living with Dementia, Dr Gary Mitchell
The Elder Interview Doll Therapy: The Controversial Intervention for People Living with Dementia, Dr Gary Mitchell Author of Doll Therapy in Dementia Care: Evidence and Practice, Dr Gary Mitchell is one of the UK’s leading researchers on doll therapy. Despite being widely and internationally used, doll therapy is a controversial and often misunderstood intervention for […]
See the Person, Not the Dementia: Tommy Whitelaw on Carers and the Power of People in Isolating Times
The Elder Interview See the Person, Not the Dementia: Tommy Whitelaw on Carers and the Power of People in Isolating Times After his mum Joan was diagnosed with vascular dementia, Tommy Whitelaw became a full-time carer. As a way to cope with the challenges of this, he started his blog Tommy on Tour, asking people […]
Building Confidence in Mind and Body with The Dementia Swimming Project
The Elder Interview Building Confidence in Mind and Body with The Dementia Swimming Project At Hengrove Park Leisure Centre in Bristol, Activities Manager Karen Tremlett helps to run the centre’s Dementia Swimming sessions. The Dementia Swimming Project is part of Swim England’s wider health strategy – and these pool sessions are designed to create a […]
Dementia 2020 Citizen’s Panel: Making Britain the Best Place in the World for Dementia Care
The Elder Interview Dementia 2020 Citizen’s Panel: Making Britain the Best Place in the World for Dementia Care Commissioned by the Department of Health and managed by Opinion Research Services, the Dementia 2020 Citizen’s Panel initiative gives people with dementia and their carers a chance to discuss the experience of living with dementia through regular […]
The Gift of Volunteering: Supporting our Ageing Society with the Royal Voluntary Service
The Elder Interview The Gift of Volunteering: Supporting our Ageing Society with the Royal Voluntary Service Royal Voluntary Service is one of the largest – and oldest – volunteer organisations in Britain. It aims to inspire and enable people to give the gift of voluntary service to meet the needs of the day in their […]
Dementia Across Borders: Alzheimer’s Disease International on the Global Approach to Dementia
The Elder Interview Dementia Across Borders: Alzheimer’s Disease International on the Global Approach to Dementia Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) is the umbrella organisation of 90 Alzheimer associations around the world. ADI is in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) and has consultative status with the United Nations (UN). We talked to ADI’s CEO […]
Music in Mind: Exploring the Relationship Between Music and Dementia with John McHugh
The Elder Interview Music in Mind: Exploring the Relationship Between Music and Dementia with John McHugh Music in Mind is a charity that uses music projects and performance to raise awareness around important social issues. One of its biggest projects, ‘Hidden Voice’ has been described by the NHS Director for Dementia, Professor Alistair Burns as […]
Food for Thought: Healthy Eating for the Elderly – Food Scientist, Joanne Holmes on Enhancing the Eating Experience
The Elder Interview Food for Thought: Healthy Eating for the Elderly – Food Scientist, Joanne Holmes on Enhancing the Eating Experience Food Scientist and nutritionist Joanne Holmes’ interest in nutrition and later life led to her doctoral research exploring the myriad factors that affect the complete meal experience for those living in care. We talked […]
Preserving Memory, Not Just History: National Museums Liverpool’s Dementia Awareness Programme
The Elder Interview Preserving Memory, Not Just History: National Museums Liverpool’s Dementia Awareness Programme House of Memories is a pioneering museum-led dementia awareness programme developed by National Museums Liverpool, offering training, resources and museum-based activities for carers and those living with dementia. We talked to Carol Rogers, who led the development of House of Memories […]
No Rest for the Aged: Scarlett McNally on the Importance of Keeping Active at Any Age
The Elder Interview No Rest for the Aged: Scarlett McNally on the Importance of Keeping Active at Any Age Scarlett McNally is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Eastbourne District General Hospital, member of the Council of the Royal College of Surgeons and lead author of two hard-hitting papers on the positive impact of exercise on […]
Confronting Later Life Loneliness: Connecting the Elderly with LinkAge Network
The Elder Interview Confronting Later Life Loneliness: Connecting the Elderly with LinkAge Network LinkAge Network is a Bristol-based charity supporting community development for older people to help reduce social isolation and loneliness. This February, the charity launches a membership network – a membership-based facility through which individuals, groups and organisations can share knowledge and resources […]
Planning Well: An (Un)Expected Journey with Hospice UK’s Sarah Russell
The Elder Interview Planning Well: An (Un)Expected Journey with Hospice UK’s Sarah Russell Head of Research at Hospice UK and Florence Nightingale Foundation Scholar, Dr Sarah Russell has over 25 years’ experience in palliative care. We talked to her about the positioning of death in modern society, the idea of “dying well” and the importance […]
Inequalities in Later Life: Dr Laurie Corna, Lecturer in Gerontology, King’s College London
The Elder Interview Inequalities in Later Life: Dr Laurie Corna, Lecturer in Gerontology, King’s College London Dr Laurie Corna is a lecturer on the groundbreaking postgraduate courses in the field of ageing at King’s College London. Her research focuses on better understanding the health and economic inequalities among older adults in the context of the […]
Ageing Without Agency: Rethinking Old Age with Professor Paul Higgs, UCL
The Elder Interview Ageing Without Agency: Rethinking Old Age with Professor Paul Higgs, UCL Paul Higgs is a professor of the Sociology of Ageing at UCL and editor of the journal ‘Social Theory and Health’. Currently a co-investigator on two NIHR/ESRC projects investigating the social aspects of dementia, he has co-authored six books on various […]
The Importance of Taking Action for People with Dementia: Andy Tysoe and the #DementiaDO Campaign
The Elder Interview The Importance of Taking Action for People with Dementia: Andy Tysoe and the #DementiaDO Campaign Dementia nurse specialist, Andy Tysoe set up the #DementiaDO campaign to raise awareness and encourage communities to take action to help make life better for people with dementia. He is also involved in dementia initiatives including the […]
Confronting Tomorrow’s Challenges Today – An Interview With Later Life Ambitions
The Elder Interview Confronting Tomorrow’s Challenges Today – An Interview With Later Life Ambitions Later Life Ambitions (LLA) brings together the collective voices of a quarter of a million pensioners to encourage today’s decision makers to confront the challenges of tomorrow. We talked to LLA about the importance of focusing on an aspirational and ambitious […]
Restoring Lost Memories for Those Living with Dementia: The WAYBACK Project
The Elder Interview Restoring Lost Memories for Those Living with Dementia: The WAYBACK Project The WAYBACK project is a series of virtual reality films that faithfully recreate popular, positive moments from our collective past – taking the viewer back to a familiar time and immersing them fully for a few minutes using Virtual Reality (VR). […]
Shining a Light on Lewy Body Dementia – An Interview with Ashley Bayston of The Lewy Body Society
The Elder Interview Shining a Light on Lewy Body Dementia – An Interview with Ashley Bayston of The Lewy Body Society Founder of the Lewy Body Society, Ashley Bayston is on a mission to raise the profile of this type of dementia, which accounts for around 20 percent of all diagnoses of dementia in older […]
Before I Forget: Preserving Our Stories Using Digital Memory Curation – Dr Nick Barratt
The Elder Interview Before I Forget: Preserving Our Stories Using Digital Memory Curation – Dr Nick Barratt Nick Barratt is an author, broadcaster and historian best known for his work on BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are. He is an honorary associate professor of public history at the University of Nottingham, acting director and […]
On a Mission to Improve Later Life: Young Trailblazer Natasha Wilson of Age UK Sheffield
The Elder Interview On a Mission to Improve Later Life: Young Trailblazer Natasha Wilson of Age UK Sheffield Inspired by close relationships with her older relatives growing up, Natasha Wilson has always been passionate about working with those in later life. She started volunteering at the age of 18 – and is now an Assistant […]
Safe to Be Me: The Issues Around LGBT Ageing – An Interview with Sally Knocker
The Elder Interview Safe to Be Me: The Issues Around LGBT Ageing – An Interview with Sally Knocker Sally Knocker is a consultant trainer with Dementia Care Matters and author of the Age UK resource Safe to Be Me, looking at the issues around LGBT ageing and offering practical advice to provide inclusive services in […]
Prevention – The Pledge the NHS Really Needs from All of Us
Learn Prevention – The Pledge the NHS Really Needs from All of Us Following this year’s General Election campaign which was dominated by the different political parties putting forward their funding proposals for the NHS and social care, is the long-term solution less about funding reactive healthcare and more about preventing the preventable? Every time […]
The National Care Forum: Transforming the Care Space, An Interview with Vic Rayner
The Elder Interview The National Care Forum: Transforming the Care Space, An Interview with Vic Rayner The National Care Forum was developed 25 years ago to support the not-for-profit part care sector, which makes up about 20 percent of providers. We talked to Vic Rayner, the Forum’s Executive Director, about the work the organisation does […]
The Implications of Living Well with Dementia: Exploring Resilience with Dr Julie Christie
The Elder Interview The Implications of Living Well with Dementia: Exploring Resilience with Dr Julie Christie A member of the Scottish Dementia Research Consortium and visiting research fellow at the University of Edinburgh, Dr Julie Christie has published work on ethical practice in research and most recently resilience in the context of dementia. We talked […]
Clothing and Identity in Later Life: An Interview with Professor Julia Twigg
The Elder Interview Clothing and Identity in Later Life: An Interview with Professor Julia Twigg Recognised for outstanding achievement by the British Society of Gerontology, Professor Julia Twigg’s work explores the role of dress in the constitution of age. We talked to her about the impact of clothes on creating and maintaining identity and the […]
The Age of No Retirement: Challenging Ageing Narratives with Jonathan Collie
The Elder Interview The Age of No Retirement: Challenging Ageing Narratives with Jonathan Collie The Age of No Retirement is an initiative that is challenging ageing narratives in the workplace and beyond – and highlighting the social and economic value of all-age thinking. With the very concept of retirement itself now under debate, we talked […]
Dementia Across Cultures and Ethnicities: An Interview with Author, Dr Julia Botsford
The Elder Interview Dementia Across Cultures and Ethnicities: An Interview with Author, Dr Julia Botsford Dr Julia Botsford is a specialist in the area of dementia in black and Asian minority (BAME) communities– and the editor, along with Karen Harrison Dening, of the book Dementia, Culture and Ethnicity: Issue for All? We talked to her […]
Technology and Gaming for the Elderly: Improving Wellbeing with Dr Hannah Marston
The Elder Interview Technology and Gaming for the Elderly: Improving Wellbeing with Dr Hannah Marston Dr Hannah Marston is a Research Fellow at the School of Health, Wellbeing & Social Care in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education, & Language Studies at the Open University, Milton Keynes. Hannah has previously worked in the Centre for Research […]
New Dynamics of Ageing: Professor Alan Walker, University of Sheffield
The Elder Interview New Dynamics of Ageing: Professor Alan Walker, University of Sheffield Professor of Social Policy and Social Gerontology at the University of Sheffield, Alan Walker was Director of the groundbreaking New Dynamics of Ageing Programme, the largest and most ambitious research Programme on ageing ever mounted in the UK. We talked to him […]
How to Age: Exploring Cultural Anxiety Around Ageing with Author Anne Karpf
The Elder Interview How to Age: Exploring Cultural Anxiety Around Ageing with Author Anne Karpf Anne Karpf is a columnist, writer and sociologist – and author of the book How to Age. Winner of best independent voice on older people’s issues in the Older People in the Media Awards 2014, she is a reader in […]
Strategic Initiative on Aging: The Positive Impact of Emerging Technologies, IBM Research
The Elder Interview Strategic Initiative on Aging: The Positive Impact of Emerging Technologies, IBM Research Susann Keohane is the IBM Global Research Leader for the Aging Initiative, heading a worldwide community developing solutions and technology-enabled services for consumers in the ‘longevity economy’. Her current research focus on Internet of Things sensor systems for elder care, […]
Ageing Well: Creating an Age Friendly UK with the Beth Johnson Foundation
The Elder Interview Ageing Well: Creating an Age Friendly UK with the Beth Johnson Foundation Lynne Wealleans is Director of Policy and Engagement at the Beth Johnson Foundation. As a national charity dedicated to positive ageing, the Foundation conducts research, advises policymakers and has initiated a number of pioneering age-friendly programmes. We talked to Lynne […]
The Future of Ageing: Enabling Lifelong Productivity and Engagement, the Milken Institute Centre
The Elder Interview The Future of Ageing: Enabling Lifelong Productivity and Engagement, the Milken Institute Centre Based in Santa Monica, California, the Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank determined to increase global prosperity by advancing collaborative solutions that widen access to capital, create jobs and improve health. The Center for the Future of […]
Dementia Care: The Positive Power of Creativity – Rebecca Packwood, the Age Exchange
The Elder Interview Dementia Care: The Positive Power of Creativity – Rebecca Packwood, the Age Exchange The Age Exchange is an intergenerational community hub in Blackheath, South London which focuses on active ageing. It is also the locus for Reminiscence Arts projects, interventions and training programmes run by the Exchange’s project workers and volunteers for […]
Living With Dementia: An Interview with Chris Roberts and his Wife Jayne
The Elder Interview Living With Dementia: An Interview with Chris Roberts and his Wife Jayne Chris Roberts was diagnosed with early onset, mixed dementia five years ago, in his early 50s. Since then, he and his wife Jayne have campaigned to raise awareness around dementia and blow away the stigma, inspiring those who have been […]
The Universal Challenges Facing Europe’s Ageing Population – Alfonso Montero, European Social Network
The Elder Interview The Universal Challenges Facing Europe’s Ageing Population – Alfonso Montero, European Social Network Alfonso Montero is Policy Director of the European Social Network, a network of over 120 member organisations in 35 countries that brings together those who plan, finance, research, manage, regulate and deliver social services to look at the issues […]
How Music Can Help Those With Dementia and Their Families
The Elder Interview How Music Can Help Those With Dementia and Their Families Playlist for Life is on a mission to raise awareness about the positive power of music and its ability to improve the lives of those with dementia and their families. By making a playlist of personally meaningful music, it’s possible to curate […]
Sara’s Quest to Change the Visual Portrayal of Later Life #NoMoreWrinklyHands
The Elder Interview Sara’s Quest to Change the Visual Portrayal of Later Life #NoMoreWrinklyHands Sara Livadeas is a consultant to the care sector on strategy, performance, quality and market position. She is also a passionate advocate for changing the visual portrayal of later life that is used online and in the media – highlighting the […]
My Ageing Parent’s Co-founder Tells Us Why They’re the UK’s Biggest Elderly Care Information Portal
The Elder Interview My Ageing Parent’s Co-founder Tells Us Why They’re the UK’s Biggest Elderly Care Information Portal Myageingparent.com is the largest information portal in the UK providing information to help families to help their older relatives and loved ones live life to the full. The site provides information and signposting on a wide range […]
David Prendergast Explores the Potential of Technologies to Revolutionise Later Life
The Elder Interview David Prendergast Explores the Potential of Technologies to Revolutionise Later Life David Prendergast is a social anthropologist based at Intel and author of ‘Aging and the Digital Life Course.’ This collection of essays was awarded 2016 CHOICE ‘Outstanding Academic Title’ by the American Library Association and described by the Huffington Post as […]
Martin Hyde, Professor of Gerontology, Provides Insight into How the Idea of Retirement is Changing
The Elder Interview Martin Hyde, Professor of Gerontology, Provides Insight into How the Idea of Retirement is Changing Dr Martin Hyde is Associate Professor of Gerontology at the Centre for Innovative Ageing at Swansea University and Deputy Editor of the Ageing and Society Journal. His research on ageing and retirement seeks to explore the work […]
Professor Mary Gilhooly, on the Generation of the ‘Young-old’ and Why a New Age Band is Necessary
The Elder Interview Professor Mary Gilhooly, on the Generation of the ‘Young-old’ and Why a New Age Band is Necessary Mary Gilhooly is Professor of Gerontology and Health Studies at Brunel University and conducted one of the first studies in the UK on family care of people with dementia. Her most recent research includes studies […]
Dr George Leeson, Director of Oxford Institute of Population Ageing, on Why Age is Just a Number
The Elder Interview Dr George Leeson, Director of Oxford Institute of Population Ageing, on Why Age is Just a Number Dr George Leeson is Director of the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing, a multi-disciplinary research facility within the University of Oxford. With a particular focus on demography – statistics that illustrate the changing structure of […]
Ashton Applewhite, Author of This Chair Rocks, Explores the Solution to Ageism
The Elder Interview Ashton Applewhite, Author of This Chair Rocks, Explores the Solution to Ageism Ageism has been dubbed “the last acceptable prejudice” in society – and writer and activist Ashton Applewhite is out to firmly challenge that. Her straight-talking blog, TED talk and book This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism, discuss how ageism […]
Tony Duhig, Shedder from Men in Sheds, Discusses the Age UK Award-winning Workshop
The Elder Interview Tony Duhig, Shedder from Men in Sheds, Discusses the Age UK Award-winning Workshop Men in Sheds is an innovative project that supports older men who want to get together, socialise and learn new skills in carpentry, metalwork and furniture restoration – all in the welcoming space of a ‘Shed’. The Shed (a […]
Dhruv Sharma: Mitigating Later Life Loneliness Through Radical Innovation & Digital Technologies
The Elder Interview Dhruv Sharma: Mitigating Later Life Loneliness Through Radical Innovation & Digital Technologies Dhruv Sharma is a Senior Innovation Associate at Newcastle University’s National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA), an initiative that brings together academics and businesses to share knowledge relevant to developing innovative products and services for older adults. Dhruv is currently […]
Charlotte Burrows, Design Council Social Innovation Programme Manager
The Elder Interview Charlotte Burrows, Design Council Social Innovation Programme Manager The Transform Ageing programme, funded by the Big Lottery Fund, is a pioneering community and design-led programme delivered through a partnership led by the Design Council that aims to improve people’s experience of ageing. It brings together people in later life, social entrepreneurs and […]
Tommy Dunne: Living With Dementia, Not Suffering From It
The Elder Interview Tommy Dunne: Living With Dementia, Not Suffering From It Campaigner Tommy Dunne was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at the age of 58 and now spends much of his time working with organisations such as SURF (Service Users Reference Forum), Liverpool Dementia National Alliance and YoungDementia UK to raise awareness of the issues around […]
Samantha Mauger, Chief Executive of the University of the Third Age
The Elder Interview Samantha Mauger, Chief Executive of the University of the Third Age With just under 400,000 members, and increasing numbers each year, the University of the Third Age (U3A) is one of the largest learning movements in the UK. Retired and semi-retired members share their skills and life experiences under the umbrella of […]
Alix McDonald, Head of the Centre for Lifelong Learning at University of Strathclyde
The Elder Interview Alix McDonald, Head of the Centre for Lifelong Learning at University of Strathclyde Strathclyde University’s Centre for Lifelong Learning brings education and interest to over 2000 older learners each year offering a variety of courses, from short and online to accredited and undergraduate access. Its programme aimed at 50+ students is run […]
Laura Alcock-Ferguson, Executive Director of Campaign to End Loneliness
The Elder Interview Laura Alcock-Ferguson, Executive Director of Campaign to End Loneliness A network of national, regional and local organisations and people working together through community action, good practice, research and policy, the Campaign’s aim is to ensure that loneliness is acted upon at national and local levels and that all older people have meaningful […]
Michael Hornberger, Professor of Dementia Research at UEA and Cocreator of Sea Hero Quest Smartphone Game
The Elder Interview Michael Hornberger, Professor of Dementia Research at UEA and Cocreator of Sea Hero Quest Smartphone Game The Sea Hero Quest smartphone game is a research project designed to gather data on people’s navigation strategies, or how they get from point-to-point. To-date, around three million people have played the free smartphone game and […]
Pam Schweitzer, MBE, Reminiscence Expert & Coordinator of the European Reminiscence Network
The Elder Interview Pam Schweitzer, MBE, Reminiscence Expert & Coordinator of the European Reminiscence Network One of the leading experts in the field of reminiscence therapy for over 30 years, Pam Schweitzer MBE is passionate about the positive effects of this work on older people and those with dementia – focusing on triggering individual memories […]
Dementia-Friendly Gardens: How Gardens Can Provide Wellbeing for Those With Dementia
Learn Dementia-Friendly Gardens: How Gardens Can Provide Wellbeing for Those With Dementia The therapeutic power of nature is well-known, and gardens can be a place of sensory delight for those living with dementia. We look at the growing trend for dementia-friendly gardens in horticultural design, and how you can create a flower-filled sanctuary at home […]
Dementia Care: How Celebrities Are Putting Dementia in the Spotlight
Learn Dementia Care: How Celebrities Are Putting Dementia in the Spotlight With the Alzheimer’s Society launching its United Against Dementia celebrity campaign, we look at the impact that high-profile people living with dementia can have in challenging the stigma and improving public understanding of the condition. “I felt insulted upon being diagnosed with a form […]
Challenging Stereotypes Around Ageing: Alex Rotas, Photographer
The Elder Interview Challenging Stereotypes Around Ageing: Alex Rotas, Photographer Through her groundbreaking photographic projects such as Growing Old Competitively, in which she documents older athletes, photographer Alex Rotas is challenging stereotypes of old age and helping to create a ‘new ageing narrative’. We talk to her about her work, the perception of growing old […]
Raising the Profile of Unpaid Carers – Lisa James on National Carers Week
The Elder Interview Raising the Profile of Unpaid Carers – Lisa James on National Carers Week Live-in care is an excellent way to ensure dedicated one-on-one help, but throughout the UK there are six and a half million unpaid carers – sons, daughters, siblings, spouses – who also provide essential care and assistance to relatives […]
Dementia Care: Tracey Shorthouse, Living with Early Onset Dementia
The Elder Interview Dementia Care: Tracey Shorthouse, Living with Early Onset Dementia Tracey Shorthouse was diagnosed with early-onset dementia at the age of 45. Now 47, she talks to us about how her life has changed and the challenges – and opportunities – to keep independent and engaged with life. How did you discover that […]
Dementia Care: How Penny Garner’s SPECAL Method Promotes Wellbeing
The Elder Interview Dementia Care: How Penny Garner’s SPECAL Method Promotes Wellbeing Penny Garner’s observations of her mother and the way she processed and linked information become the basis for the development of the SPECAL method – a person-centered method of managing dementia and promoting wellbeing. Today, she trains and raises awareness about the method […]
Sandwich Caring – Looking after the Youngest and Oldest in Your Family
Learn Sandwich Caring – Looking after the Youngest and Oldest in Your Family With a population living longer than ever before and more people starting their families later in life, there is a growing and often silent group of people who are becoming what is known as ‘Sandwich Carers’. Chances are ‘Sandwich Carer‘ is a […]
The Truth about Unpaid Caring at 65+
Learn The Truth about Unpaid Caring at 65+ When most people think of retirement, they never expect to become an unpaid carer, but with over one million unpaid carers aged 65+ in the UK, more and more people are facing their later years taking on the most challenging role of all. *Doris and Burt are […]
Live-in Care: Making Life Safer for the Elderly
Learn Live-in Care: Making Life Safer for the Elderly With 3 in 5 people living with dementia getting lost while walking every year we explore the issue of safer walking technology and look at the latest devices designed to give independence to them and peace of mind to you. Going for a walk is one […]
Raising Awareness About Alzheimer’s Care: An Interview With Vivienne Francis
The Elder Interview Raising Awareness About Alzheimer’s Care: An Interview With Vivienne Francis The Alzheimer’s Society’s annual Dementia Awareness Week is a crucial chance to highlight the issue in society, help dispel myths and focus on the ways in which those with the disease can live well for longer. We talk to Vivienne Francis from […]
Living with Young Onset Dementia: An Interview with Peter Berry
The Elder Interview Living with Young Onset Dementia: An Interview with Peter Berry Peter Berry lives with early onset dementia, a form that appears before the age of 65. A passionate advocate for living well with dementia, Peter works with YoungDementia UK to raise awareness of the condition. We spoke to him about being diagnosed […]
The Emotional Impact of Dementia
Learn The Emotional Impact of Dementia Dementia is unique in its ability to affect us emotionally, but by understanding our emotional responses and finding ways to alleviate them, we can prevent this emotional impact becoming unmanageable. *Beth Britton is a leading campaigner, consultant, writer and blogger on ageing, health, social care and dementia.* Everyone who […]
Exploring Creativity in Dementia Care: An Interview with Author John Killick
The Elder Interview Exploring Creativity in Dementia Care: An Interview with Author John Killick Poet and author John Killick has written seven books on dementia, including Dementia Positive, Communication and the Care of People with Dementia and Playfulness and Dementia. *John’s new books The Story of Dementia and Poetry and Dementia are out in August […]
How Live-in Care Can Help You Sleep Better
Learn How Live-in Care Can Help You Sleep Better Problems sleeping are common among those with dementia – and inevitably those around them too, whether family members or live-in carers. Help everyone feel better with these simple strategies for a good night’s sleep. It is well documented that dementia and disturbed sleep go hand in […]
Close Harmony: The Power of Music in Dementia
Learn Close Harmony: The Power of Music in Dementia Research has shown that music and singing are incredibly beneficial to those with dementia, offering a way for them to move beyond the disease and an important channel of communication when others are challenged. Ted McDermott recently became a YouTube star when a video of the 79-year-old […]
The Elder Interview: Simon Thorp, Dementia Adventure
The Elder Interview The Elder Interview: Simon Thorp, Dementia Adventure Remember the Great Outdoors? How one innovative charity is removing the barrier to adventures in nature for those living with dementia. *Dementia Adventure is dedicated to supporting people to live well with dementia and have a sense of adventure in their lives through regular, active […]
Is Virtual Reality the Future of Mental Health? Professor David Roberts, Professor of Telepresence, University of Salford
The Elder Interview Is Virtual Reality the Future of Mental Health? Professor David Roberts, Professor of Telepresence, University of Salford With Virtual Reality moving into the mainstream, what is the potential for its use in the dementia space? We talk to leading researcher Professor David Roberts about the new realities of this technology. David Roberts […]
Finding Meaning in Memory: The Power of Reminiscence Therapy
Learn Finding Meaning in Memory: The Power of Reminiscence Therapy Accessing long-term memories through reminiscence can be a way of connecting a person with dementia with wellbeing – and a bridge to communication for carers. In dementia and Alzheimer’s memories are lost in reverse order; recent memories disappear from conscious recall much quicker than those […]
The Elder Interview: Nigel Franklin, CEO of Arts 4 Dementia
The Elder Interview The Elder Interview: Nigel Franklin, CEO of Arts 4 Dementia Arts 4 Dementia works with creative organisations to facilitate workshops for people with dementia. We talk to CEO Nigel Franklin about the power of the arts to challenge and inspire people after a diagnosis. My sister Veronica founded Arts4Dementia in 2011 – […]
How Live-in Care Can Help Learning in Later Life
Learn How Live-in Care Can Help Learning in Later Life Late-life learning is a powerful way to increase well-being in older people, keeping them engaged and stimulated by life – and their own capabilities. The first thing retired teacher Mary does when she gets up in the morning is read the news over a cup […]
The Elder Interview: Julia Jones, Co-founder of John’s Campaign
The Elder Interview The Elder Interview: Julia Jones, Co-founder of John’s Campaign Julia Jones is co-founder of John’s Campaign, to recognise the invaluable role of dementia carers in hospitals. We talk to her about the progress that has been made, and how much further there is to go. *__John’s Campaign is named after Dr John […]
A Guide to Dementia-Friendly Days Out
Learn A Guide to Dementia-Friendly Days Out How do you ensure a trip out with an elderly family member is enjoyable for everyone? We look at the challenges – and solutions for the perfect day out together Everyone needs a refreshing change of scenery sometimes, but preparation is the key to a good day out, […]
The Elder Interview: Beth Britton, Campaigner, Writer and Dementia Consultant
The Elder Interview The Elder Interview: Beth Britton, Campaigner, Writer and Dementia Consultant We talk to Campaigner, Consultant and Writer, Beth Britton, about the power of positive communication around dementia. Beth Britton is a leading campaigner, consultant, writer and blogger on ageing, health, social care and dementia. Her experience caring for her father through his […]
The Elder Interview: Christina Macdonald, Author of Dementia Care, A Guide
The Elder Interview The Elder Interview: Christina Macdonald, Author of Dementia Care, A Guide Christina Macdonald is the author of ‘Dementia Care: A Guide’. We talk to her about what inspired her to write her book and the importance of thinking and planning ahead when your loved one has had a diagnosis of dementia. My […]
Displaying Inclusivity: How Museums and Galleries are Responding to Visitors with Dementia
Learn Displaying Inclusivity: How Museums and Galleries are Responding to Visitors with Dementia Museums, galleries and other venues are focusing on making the arts more dementia friendly and better equipped to enable those with the condition to enjoy them. Museum collections and gallery spaces are places for creativity, curiousity and learning. It is both their […]
How to Create a Dementia-Friendly Home
Learn How to Create a Dementia-Friendly Home Thoughtful design and adaptation can make a living environment dementia-friendly – and allow those with the condition to stay at home for longer with live-in care. A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or a related dementia will present many challenges, but one of the most immediate will be in adapting […]
Why One is the Loneliest Number for The Elderly
Learn Why One is the Loneliest Number for The Elderly There are over a million lonely older people in the UK now, and the number is on the rise. We look at how solutions such as live-in care could help to stem the UK’s loneliness epidemic. In recent years there has been a definite shift […]
The Elder Interview: James Ashwell, Founder of Unforgettable.org
The Elder Interview The Elder Interview: James Ashwell, Founder of Unforgettable.org James Ashwell’s experience of caring for his mum led him to set up Unforgettable.org – a one-stop dementia web resource offering products, services and advice. We talked to him about the importance of providing accessible solutions and the power of even simple products to […]
The Elder Interview: Matthew Äikäs-Adams, Founder of the Ally Bally Bee Project
Learn The Elder Interview: Matthew Äikäs-Adams, Founder of the Ally Bally Bee Project The Ally Bally Bee Project is the world’s first personalised children’s book about dementia. We talk to founder Matthew Äikäs-Adams about the project, the power of starting conversations and the very personal journey of a family with a dementia diagnosis… The book […]
Eight Great Dementia Products That Can Make Life Easier
Learn Eight Great Dementia Products That Can Make Life Easier A diagnosis of dementia means finding new, adapted and often innovative ways to support everyday living. We list some of the challenges faced by those living with dementia – and some great products, from low-key to high-tech, that can help. #1 Engagement: Dementia Jigsaw Puzzle […]
Interview with Tommy Petillo, Product Designer and Dementia Circle Website Manager
Interview with Tommy Petillo, Product Designer and Dementia Circle Website Manager Dementia Circle is a project that finds, tests and shares information about domestic products for people with dementia. Product designer and Dementia Circle web manager Tommy Petillo talks to the Elder blog about the value of inclusive design, sharing information and how both can […]
Interview with Jeni Lennox of The Dementia Dog Project
The Elder Interview Interview with Jeni Lennox of The Dementia Dog Project The Dementia Dog project is a pioneering initiative in Scotland that aims to pair people in the early phases of dementia with an assistance dog trained to provide tailored support in their day-to-day lives. Dementia Dog started its life as a Glasgow School […]
Interview with Nicola Cooper, Senior Technology Co-ordinator for Alzheimer Scotland
The Elder Interview Interview with Nicola Cooper, Senior Technology Co-ordinator for Alzheimer Scotland As Senior Technology Co-ordinator for Alzheimer Scotland, Nicola Cooper is part of a team that promotes independent living through the use of technology, complementing human care and support. The team provides information, training materials and resources, as well as real life examples […]
The Digital Third Age – Live-in Carers Help Elderly Get Online
Learn The Digital Third Age – Live-in Carers Help Elderly Get Online While younger generations debate over whether the internet connects or alienates, the older population is increasingly finding digital life a positive way to combat feelings of isolation and loneliness. George talks face-to-face with his daughter and grandchildren twice a week, even though they […]
Live-in Care Boom Boosts Later Life Choices
Learn Live-in Care Boom Boosts Later Life Choices Live-in home care, where ‘companion carers’ are carefully matched to provide support and continuity, is the fastest-growing model in the care sector. David can’t remember things he used to recall easily. He gets easily confused and disorientated. He’s anxious a lot of the time, and needs significant […]