CARDI - Supporting research to play a vital role in planning for an
ageing population across the island of Ireland.
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Welcome to this month's CARDI newsletter
Our e-bulletin provides up-to-date information
on ageing research including seminars,
funding opportunities, latest research and
1. CARDI News
2. Ageing Research
News
innovation. More detailed information is
available on our website www.cardi.ie
3. Ageing Policy
News
If you have a news story, event or publication
4. Research & Policy
Publications
Follow CARDI on:
5. Events
6. Funding, Awards
& Training
opportunities
relating to ageing please send it to us at
nicola@cardi.ie
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CARDI News
Disability in older heart disease patients
CARDI will launch an all-Ireland report on disability in older heart disease patients
on the morning of Thursday 26 March at the Holiday Inn, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast.
Professor Frank Kee from Queen’s University Belfast will present important new
findings on north-south differences, socio-economic gaps and variances by sex and
age group. To register email events@cardi.ie. A light lunch will be served.
Support to attend Canadian Summer Program in Aging
June 2015-Awards
CARDI and the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) - Institute of Aging
are working in partnership to support up to two early career researchers to attend
the Canadian Summer Program in Aging 2015 in Toronto, 1-5 June 2015. This year
the theme is The Health, Wellness and Participation of Older Adults in the World of
Work. The award will cover flights, accommodation, meals and the 5 day training
programme registration fee. Closing date for applications is Monday 23 March 2015
- 12 noon. For more information and an application form please click here.
International Training Programme on Ageing: Advance
Notice
CARDI, in association with the The Irish Network for Research in Dementia and
Neurodegeneration (INRDND), Alzheimer's Society of Ireland, Alzheimer's Society
Northern Ireland and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of
Aging will host a three day International Training Programme on Ageing on 22, 23,
24 September in Trinity College Dublin. It will focus on the theme of dementia. This
training event is aimed at PhD post doctoral students and early career researchers.
Further details will follow.
Supporting next generation leaders - workshop
CARDI will host a workshop at Evolve Biomed 2015, a science and technology
forum, which will take place on 29-30 April in Dublin. This workshop on Thursday
29 April aimed at PhD postdoctoral students and early career researchers will focus
on the theme of supporting the development (both academically and professionally)
of next generation leaders in research. It will include brief presentations followed by
facilitated discussion. Further details about the conference can be found here.
IAGG-ER 2015: CARDI participation
The International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics European Region
Congress 2015 will take place 23-26 April 2015 in Dublin. CARDI will host two
symposia at the event: the first on physical activity and ageing and the second on
health inequalities and ageing. CARDI will also have poster presentations on
whether health inequalities are related to broader social inequality and if egovernment is compounding inequalities: understanding older people's interaction
with online public services. Read more about the conference here.
Calling all dementia researchers...
If you are a researcher currently engaged in a dementia-related project and would
like to share details about your work CARDI would like to hear from you and publish
an article on your progress. The research project can be at any stage in its
progress. CARDI would like to find out- What motivated you to go into research?
How did you choose your research? What does the project involve (what are you
testing)? At what stage are you in the project? Email: nicola@cardi.ie
Upcoming publications
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Disability in older heart disease patients
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Focus On...Ageing, social exclusion and intellectual disability
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Physical activity and older people
Ageing Research News
Meditation may help sleep problems in older people
Older people who have sleep problems found more relief from a mindful meditation
program than from a conventional sleep education program according to a study
from the Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology at the Semel Institute. The
participants used a meditation program from UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research
Center. Read more here.
Light activity may help the hearts of older people
For older people who have mobility issues, even light activity like household chores
may be better for the heart than no activity, according to a new study from the
University of Florida. Researchers profiled older peoples' risk of heart disease
complications - including heart attack - over a 10-year period and found their risk
rose along with the amount of time they were inactive each day. Conversely, the
more active time they had - regardless of intensity - the lower their risk. Read more
here.
Celtic Tiger: Life expectancy grew especially among
wealthy
The wealthiest groups in the Republic of Ireland enjoyed disproportionate gains in
life expectancy and reductions in death rates during the boom years of the Celtic
Tiger research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ERSI) revealed at
a recent conference. Although all classes benefited from the 'longevity
bonus' conferred during the boom, the improvement was not shared equally. Read
more here.
Could virtual reality help ease anxiety in older people?
Up to 25% of people aged 65 and over experience varying degrees of anxiety.
Although cognitive behavioural therapy is a preferred treatment approach, it has
limitations as people age (decreased mobility and visualisation skills). Could virtual
reality be an effective therapy for anxiety in older people? This novel therapeutic
avenue for this clientele seems promising, according to a literature review
conducted by a team at the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal. Read more
here.
Alzheimer's Research UK launches drug discovery
alliance
Alzheimer’s Research UK has announced a £30m Drug Discovery Alliance
launching three flagship Drug Discovery Institutes at the Universities of Cambridge,
Oxford and University College London. The Drug Discovery Institutes will see 90
new research scientists employed in state-of-the-art facilities to fast-track the
development of new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Read
more here.
LiveWell: lifestyle changes for better ageing
Lifestyle changes involving physical activity, healthy eating and maintaining a good
social life around retirement lead to happier and healthier futures according to
researchers at Newcastle University who assessed how well people will age after
retirement. The researchers studied what factors promote health and wellbeing at
this stage in life. The LiveWell project team also developed an interactive website
known as ‘LEAP’ (Lifestyle, Eating, Activity and Planning) which provides
personalised advice and support to enhance healthy ageing. Read more about the
project and website here.
Women hit hardest by dementia
Women are bearing the brunt of dementia across the UK. A study by Alzheimer’s
Research UK reveals that the condition has not only become the leading cause of
death among British women but that women are far more likely to end up as carers
of sufferers than men – suffering physical and emotional stress and job losses in the
process.The study entitled Women and Dementia: A Marginalised Majority will be
released next month. Read more here.
Mapping Ireland's centenarians
Data from ROI's Department of Social Protection shows differences in longevity in
different counties with higher-than-average numbers of centenarians in Connacht –
particularly Co Mayo – and Co Longford. A total of 402 centenarians were in receipt
of an old-age pension from the Department as of the last day of 2014 with more
than a fifth located in Dublin. Read more here.
The impact of loneliness on health
Loneliness among older people is believed to be as damaging to their health as
smoking 15 cigarettes a day with older generations at risk of increased isolation as
young emigrants move abroad, according to the Alone charity. Read more here.
Supporting independent living
Living independently in our own homes as we age is the hope of many people. The
Older People Remaining at Home (OPRAH) is a project that supports older adults
to remain living in their own homes and communities. It aims to reduce repeated
hospital admissions and early entry to long-term nursing home care. The project has
been evaluated by Trinity College Dublin. Read more here
Study ties immune cells to delayed onset of post-stroke
dementia
A single stroke doubles a person’s risk of developing dementia over the following
decade even when that person’s mental ability is initially unaffected. Why this
delayed deterioration occurs has been a mystery. Stanford University School of
Medicine investigators think they have discovered a major reason for it. Read more
here.
Effects of stereotypes on older people
An analysis of research by a team at the University of Kent on the effect of negative
stereotypes on older people's abilities has concluded that these stereotypes create
a significant problem for that demographic. The team statistically analysed
international evidence from 37 research studies, both published and unpublished.
They concluded that older adults' memory and cognitive performance is negatively
affected in situations that signal or remind them of negative age stereotypes. Read
more here.
Read more ageing research news here>>
Ageing Policy News
Fair deal scheme under scrutiny
Junior Health Minister for ROI Kathleen Lynch has said an additional €30m is
needed every year for the Fair Deal nursing home scheme to ensure people are not
waiting longer than eight weeks. But she said the government would not be seeking
an increase in the contributions made by patients to the scheme which is
costing €950m this year. Read more here.
Social Work Research Strategy
The consultation exercise on the Social Work Research Strategy 2015-2020: In
Pursuit of Excellence - supporting the profession in relation to social work services
in Northern Ireland which was launched in December closes on the 18 March 2015 .
To view all the consultation documents and response options
visit: http://www.hscboard.hscni.net/consult.
Conservatives pledge support for UK's older population
Universal benefits for pensioners will be protected if the Conservatives win May's
UK general election Prime Minister David Cameron has said. In a speech he
outlined the party's pledge to ensure that older people be treated with dignity and
dismissed criticism that pensioners were being unfairly favoured. Read more here.
Successful ageing vs active ageing
While the concept of successful ageing has become prevalent in academic and
policy discussions surrounding ageing in the United States, in Europe the idea of
active ageing has been the most prominent response to challenges related to an
ageing population. An article in a recent special issue of the Gerontologist on
successful ageing outlines the major features of the idea of active ageing and how it
compares to the successful ageing perspective. Read more here.
Age NI welcomes imminent age discrimination
legislation
Duane Farrell, Age NI Director of Policy and Engagement, has welcomed a recent
announcement from Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister that age
discrimination legislation will be delivered by the end of this NI Assembly term. Read
more here.
Healthy and Positive Ageing Outcomes Initiative
ROI's Department of Health, together with The Atlantic Philanthropies, the Health
Service Executive's Health and Wellbeing Division and Age Friendly Ireland have
agreed on a joint programme to monitor and promote older people's health and
wellbeing in Ireland. This programme (the Healthy and Positive Ageing Outcomes
Initiative) is intended to measure the implementation of the National Positive Ageing
Strategy. Read more here
Read more policy news here>>
Research and Policy Publications
Measuring Ireland's Progress
The Central Statistics Office (ROI) recently released a new publication Measuring
Ireland's Progress 2013. It reveals that Ireland has the highest proportion of young
people and the second lowest proportion of old people in the EU. Life expectancy at
birth in Ireland in 2012, as calculated by Eurostat, is 83.2 years for females, just
above the EU average of 83.1 years. The male life expectancy at birth in Ireland
was 78.7 years, just over one year above the EU average. Read more here.
Use of Self-Reported Health and ageing populations
Self-Reported Health (SRH) is thought of by many as a “one-size fits all” measure of
the overall health level of a population and thus has been suggested as a possible
solution to measuring health outcomes and determining health needs in this rapidly
ageing population group. But has it earned this title? This article by PublicPolicy.ie
assesses the use of SRH as a measure. Read more here
Effectiveness of Assistive Living Technologies
The Sustainable Living Integrating Older Adults with Technologies and
Advancements in Regeneration (SLIOTAR) project aims to review the effectiveness
of the Assistive Living Technologies and Social Interventions used in the Great
Northern Haven Complex, Dundalk, Co Louth, Ireland. This is an on-going research
project with a report on the findings due to be published in the first quarter of 2015.
Read more here.
Ageing linked to farm fatalities
A long term geo-demographic study conducted by Teagasc and the ROI's Health
Service Executive has found that certain farmer behaviours and ageing profiles are
the main factors in deaths on Irish farms.The overall aim of the research is to
uncover trends that will be of assistance in reducing the number of deaths on Irish
farms. Read more here.
Fit for Frailty Part 2
A new guidance document recently launched by the British Geriatrics Society with
support from Age UK and the Royal College of General Practitioners offers a new
perspective on commissioning and designing health services for older patients with
frailty. 'Fit for Frailty Part 2' provides detailed guidance on how the commissioning
and management of services for people living with frailty in community settings can
(and does) work in practice. Read more here.
Linking research to policy-making
Calls have been made for closer integration of research evidence in the decisionmaking process of the European Union. Findings from a survey of European
policymakers showed that even though policymakers expressed a clear desire for
increased links between research initiatives and the decision-making process, they
rarely viewed scientific evidence as relevant in a policymaking context. Read the full
article here.
Reducing muscle strength and ageing
The American National Centre for Health Statistics recently published national
estimates of muscle strength in older adults in the United States in 2011-2012
based on maximum hand grip strength. Weak muscle strength is clinically relevant
because of its associations with mobility impairment. The report shows that 5% of
adults aged 60 and over had weak muscle strength, 13% had intermediate muscle
strength while 82% had normal muscle strength. The prevalence of reduced (weak
and intermediate) muscle strength increased with age while the prevalence of
normal strength decreased with age. Read more here.
Inactivity and older people in Ireland
Physical inactivity is the 4th leading cause of death worldwide. Inactivity increases
the risk of many adverse health conditions including diseases such as
cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and breast and colon cancers, and shortens
life expectancy. This study led by Dr Elaine Murtagh and funded by CARDI (Datamining 2013) examined the issue of inactivity in older people and its impacts. Read
the published study here.
Impact of alcohol across age groups
A new study from University College London of people older than 50 largely
examines the impact of alcohol across age groups. It finds that unless you are a
woman over 65, alcohol consumption is unlikely to forestall your death. Published in
the journal BMJ Open, the study suggests that many studies finding health benefits
from alcohol consumption have generally been overstated in recent research. Read
the research paper here.
Serious illness and the over-50s
With demand for National Health Service (NHS) services already under pressure,
new analysis by the International Longevity Centre – UK and supported by Engage
Mutual predicts the NHS may have to support up to one million more older people
with serious illnesses within the next ten years.The research also reveals that whilst
the number of older people with a serious illness will increase, improvements in
health may actually result in a fall in the proportion of older people suffering one of
the five conditions explored. Read more here.
Personalised Care and Support Planning
The ‘Personalised Care and Support Planning Handbook’ produced by the NHS
Care Coalition looks at the best ways to locally implement personalised care and
support planning. It provides practical support for local health systems hoping to
introduce and sustain care and support planning at a local level, and give people
with long term conditions more control over their lives.To download a copy click
here.
An Irish National Survey of Dementia in Long Term
Residential Care
A report from The Dementia Services Information and Development Centre titled 'An
Irish National Survey of Dementia in Long Term Residential Care' was recently
launched by Professor Davis Coakley. The report showed that only 11% of all the
Irish facilities surveyed have dedicated dementia units despite an expected increase
in demand for long-term dementia care arising as a result of population ageing.
Read more here.
Design for dementia
New research published by the National Disability Authority’s Centre for Excellence
in Universal Design (ROI) recommends that by following the principles of universal
design - combined with a collaborative approach to design - it is possible for people
living with dementia, their families and carers to live longer and happier lives in their
own homes. Read more here.
Read more research and policy publications here>>
Events
10th World Conference on Elder Abuse and WEAAD
2015 Lead-up
The 10th World Conference on Elder Abuse and WEAAD 2015 Lead-up will be held
on Wednesday 22 April 2015 at University College Dublin. The theme is 'Advances
in elder abuse research, practice & legislation'. Registration closes 15 April 2015.
For more information contact: Amanda Phelan tel: 00353 1 7166482 e-mail:
Amanda.phelan@ucd.ie.
U3A Walking Festival
Monaghan University of the Third Age (U3A) will host a walking festival on Thursday
and Friday 16 and 17 April. More information on the U3A Walking Festival can be
found at www.picturesofireland.ie/U3Ahtm or by ringing or texting 00 353 87
3432275.
Building an evidence base for active ageing policies
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the Directorate General
for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion are organising a seminar 'Building an
evidence base for active ageing policies: active ageing index and its potential' in
Brussels on Thursday and Friday 16 and 17 April. The seminar will be dedicated to
the studies focusing on how to achieve better outcomes through appropriate policies
including those that address life course determinants of active and healthy ageing.
For more information click here
Social Inclusion Forum
The 2015 Annual Social Inclusion Forum will take place at Croke Park, Dublin on
Wednesday 25 March. The forum is part of the institutional framework put in place
by the ROI Government to support the development of the National Action Plan for
Social Inclusion 2007-2016. The theme for this year is social policy innovation for
social inclusion. Find out more and register here.
Commission on the Voluntary Sector and Ageing Report
The Commission on the Voluntary Sector and Ageing, chaired by Lynne Berry OBE,
has been looking at what issues the voluntary sector in England faces over the next
two decades as a result of the demographic shifts expected. The independent
commission has been meeting for the last 18 months and will launch its final report
on Thursday 19 March in London. Find out more and register.
European summit on innovation for active and healthy
ageing
The European Innovation Partnership for Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA)
will host a summit on Monday and Tuesday 9-10 March 2015. The event will bring
together EU representatives across several portfolios, business leaders, national
and regional authorities, leading global innovators and media. The summit will also
have a dedicated exhibition area to showcase the achievements of the EIP on AHA
and other related research and innovation projects. More information here.
Alzheimer’s Research UK Conference
Alzheimer’s Research UK Conference 2015 will be held on Tuesday and
Wednesday 10-11 March at the Senate House, London. This meeting is the UK’s
largest dementia research conference covering a wide range of topics. More
information here.
Evolve Biomed 2015
Evolve Biomed 2015 will take place on Wednesday and Thursday 29-30 April 2015
at the RDS Dublin. It is a science and technology forum for early-career biomedical
researchers to explore the latest advances in biomedical innovation and gain
insights into how their expertise can be applied to develop breakthroughs that
impact healthcare. A full programme is now available visit:
www.evolvebiomed2015.com
International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics
European Region Congress
The International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics European Region
Congress 2015 will take place Thursday-Sunday 23-26 April 2015 in Dublin. Click
here for more information and to reserve your place.
Northern Ireland Stroke Conference 2015
The Northern Ireland Multidisciplinary Association for Stroke Teams and UK Stroke
Forum will host the Northern Ireland Stroke Conference on Wednesday 20 May at
La Mon Hotel & Country Club, near Belfast. Early bird registration ends 9 March.
Click here to book your place.
Women and ageing
The University of Limerick will host a conference on women and ageing
Wednesday-Friday 20-22 May. The aim of this conference is to provide an
opportunity to discuss intersections of the cultural, social and medical dimensions of
women and ageing. It will engage with discourses on ageing in their various cultural
manifestations through the ages but also across different cultures, genres and
media. Read more here.
Public Health Annual Scientific Conference: Call for
abstracts
The Public Health Agency and Partners will be hosting the fourth Public Health
Annual Scientific Conference in Belfast on Wednesday 10 June. The theme of the
conference will be Making Life Better – Improving health and care for adults. It will
focus on how public health innovations, research and practice are meeting the
needs of our adult population between the ages of 18-64 years. The deadline for
abstract submission has been extended to 4pm on Wednesday 11 March 2015.
Submissions to be emailed to: lesley.armour@hscni.net
Creative writing workshops for bereaved people
Creative writing workshops for bereaved people aged over 60 are to be offered in
Belfast and Derry/Londonderry on Tuesday 10 and Monday 9 March respectively.
Ideal for people who are novices at writing or may have always wanted to write but
had no idea where to start and also for those who have some experience. It will
demystify the process for participants and they will get a taste of the writing life,
improve their writing skills and develop new ways to stretch their creative muscles.
Read more here.
More events here>>
Funding, Awards & Training
Opportunities
ESRC: Secondary Data Analysis Initiative
The Economic and Social Research Council has announced a call for the third
phase of the Secondary Data Analysis Initiative. The aim of this call is to deliver
high-quality, high-impact research through the deeper exploitation of existing data
resources. It will fund projects of up to £200,000. More information can be found on
the ESRC website.
British Geriatrics Society Masters Scholarship Awards
Applications are now open for the 2015/16 British Geriatrics Society Masters
Scholarship Award. For more information, eligibility criteria and details on how to
apply click here. The deadline for applications is Friday 31 July.
Labex SIGNALIFE: PhD opportunities
The Labex SIGNALIFE in France is currently seeking applications from outstanding
students in the Life Sciences for a total of 20 highly competitive, fully funded PhD
positions in the area of Cell Signalling. This will be the third recruitment for this PhD
program, a 3-year PhD starting September 2015. The application deadline is
Tuesday March 31 2015. Read more here.
HRB Research Leaders Awards 2015
The Health Research Board identified as one of its key goals the need to build
capacity to conduct high quality Population Health and Health Services Research
(PH/HSR) in Ireland. Higher Education Institutions in Ireland along with partner
organisations in health and social care are invited to nominate outstanding
individuals with a track record in PH/HSR to become HRB Research Leaders.The
closing date is Tuesday 31 March 2015. Read more here.
Dementia Elevator training
The Dementia Elevator team at Dublin City University will be offering retail training
to promote dementia awareness and give customer-facing retail staff skills to
engage effectively with customers who may have dementia. The training will be
solution-focused with opportunities for interaction and reflection. It is suitable for all
types of retail outlets and pharmacies. More information here.
HERA Joint Research Programme
The Humanities in the European Research Area (HERA) Network is pleased to
announce a new HERA Joint Research Programme (HERA JRP) on 'Uses of the
Past'. With up to €20 million available the research programme will fund new and
exciting humanities-centred projects involving researchers from four or more
countries. Deadline for applications is Thursday 9 April 2015. More information here.
More funding news here>>
CARDI Staff
CARDI has been developed by leaders
from the ageing field across Ireland
(North and South).
Roger O’Sullivan
Director
Paul Mc Gill
CARDI Steering group
If you want to explore how to be
involved in progressing ageing research
or want to find out more about our work
please contact our team.
Professor Davis Coakley
Co-Chair of CARDI
Professor Robert Stout
Strategic Research Officer
Co-Chair of CARDI
Nicola Donnelly
Owen Metcalfe
Communications Officer – New Media
Institute of Public Health
Conor Breen
Professor Eamon O’Shea
Policy Officer – Research Translation
Irish Centre for Social Gerontology
Janet ElliottAdministrative Officer
Robin Webster
Age Action Ireland
Dr Roger O’Sullivan
Director of CARDI
This work has been made possible through funding by The Atlantic
Philanthropies, augmented by grants from the Department of Health and
the Health & Social Care Research & Development Office, Public Health
Agency, Northern Ireland. CARDI is hosted by the Institute of Public Health
in Ireland.
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Copyright © 2015 CARDI, All rights reserved.
This is a monthly newsletter from The Centre for
Ageing Research and Development in Ireland. Find out
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