CARDI Blog
Your memories matter!
Posted February 19th, 2010 by CorrieOn Wednesday of this week a jointly hosted event by the Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland (CARDI) and the Reminiscence Network Northern Ireland (RNNI), gathered top researchers from across Ireland and the UK to present their latest findings from reminiscence focused research.
It was a packed and diverse programme both in terms of themes and disciplines (Nursing, Medical Gerontology, Social Work, Psychology, Computer Science and Speech Therapy). Contributors highlighted the different ways of conducting reminiscence research from using traditional oral history techniques, life history books to making use of You Tube to help aid positive memories.
Researchers throughout the day demonstrated the use and benefits of reminiscence in range of different settings as well as with individuals, larger groups and communities.
A reoccurring theme at the seminar was how reminiscing can utilise people's ability to recall the past when they have trouble discussing or remembering the present. Our memory not only provides a record of past experience, but also locates us in personal time -music, places, pictures and even tastes can spark memories – both positive and negative.
Most people enjoy the odd trip down memory lane, but research presented showed that reminiscing can be good for your health and well being. Reminiscing, however, is not just an issue for individuals but for also communities. The value and role of reminiscing across and within communities is being increasingly recognised. In Northern Ireland reminiscence is being used as a tool to build community relations and help address the legacy of the past while others have used it to record history where the written form is less common.
The opportunity of reminiscence is that it gives older people the power to remember as they wish; reflect or review their past, and to see their memories as valuable and important.
Delegates gained a deeper understanding of the benefits of reminiscence for older people especially those with dementia, and how it can form a basis for intergenerational interaction, as well as create a chance to educate others about one’s memory and experiences of the past.
That is, of course, if we take time to listen!
A copy of the programme and presentations are available to download here:
Your Memories Matter - Showcasing Reminiscence Research (workshop presentations)
Dr. Roger O’Sullivan
Director
The significance of longevity cannot be underestimated
Posted January 26th, 2010 by RogerYesterday CARDI launched the report “Illustrating Ageing in Ireland - Key Facts and Figures”. (1).jpg)
This publication, mapping statistical information on ageing across the island of Ireland, is part of a portfolio of publications which maps existing research, policy and
government structures relating to ageing across Ireland, north and south
This report, which can be downloaded from our website (www.cardi.ie) will be of interest to older people and their organisations, researchers of all disciplines, policy-makers and service providers.
By providing this statistical comparison on a range of aspects of the lives of older people in Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (RoI), this report helps to identify and highlight both similarities and differences across the Island of Ireland.
It also emphasises the need for increased focus on comparable datasets and definitions across the island of Ireland.
In compiling this report a number of areas emerged that merit exploration for the purposes of analysing and planning an ageing society. These include:
- What explains the growing periods of years spent in poor health and disability
- What are the implications for policies and services?
- What can we say about the impact of the recession on older workers?
- How can we measure the contribution older people make to the economy and
communities?
We were delighted that Professor Brendan Whelan, Research Director of TILDA, the Irish Longitudinal Study of Ageing and Professor Bernie Hannigan, Director of Health and Social Care, Research & Development (NI) provided commentary presentations at the launch, which are also able to be downloaded from our site.
We welcome your views on this report and topics you consider to be priorities for ageing research in Ireland.
Roger O’Sullivan
Director
Supporting research that breaks the ice
Posted January 13th, 2010 by RogerWe are delighted to announce today the eight award holders from Call 2 of our All Ireland Ageing Research Grant programme.
The programme which promotes research partnerships across the island of Ireland has again brought together different subject areas to look at issues affecting our ageing population.
Reflecting the huge range of topics covered by ageing research, the eight winners cover a wide spectrum of research:
• Professor Patrick Goodman from Dublin Institute of Technology along with the Institute of Public Health and the University of Ulster is studying fuel poverty, especially indoor temperatures and the behavior of older people in response to cold weather over two winters.
• Paddy Hillyard, emeritus Professor at Queen’s University Belfast, will work with colleagues at University College Dublin and the University of Bristol to study the impact of the recession on older people. They will examine the extent of inequality among retired people, including those with private and public pensions.
• Brigid Barron from the Caring for Carers organisation based in Co Clare, will team up with the University of Ulster to examine stress and fatigue among carers of older people.
• Dr Emer Begley, Age Action Ireland, is working with Trinity College Dublin and a Northern Ireland health and Social Care Trust to ask older people themselves how they see the growing problem of elder abuse and the sort of support they need if they are victims.
• Dr Stephen Byrne, University College Cork, will collaborate with pharmacists in Cork and Belfast on the inappropriate prescribing of drugs to older people in nursing homes.
• Dr Anna Gavin, NI Cancer Registry, will look at why older men are less likely to receive treatment for prostate cancer than younger men.
• Dr Sylvia O’Sullivan, Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick, has formed a research network with a focus on dance and creative movement to promote successful ageing through both physical activity and social inclusion.
• Dr Jayne Woodside and fellow researchers at Queen’s University Belfast will join academics at TCD to develop educational materials to help encourage behaviour change in diet and physical activity among patients with mild cognitive impairment.
Davis Coakley, Co-Chair of CARDI and Professor of Medical Gerontology at Trinity College Dublin and St James’s Hospital, said:
“We were delighted to receive many excellent proposals from universities throughout Ireland and from the voluntary and community sector. These grants, worth €164,000, will help CARDI throw light on several crucial issues. The findings should bring benefits to the daily lives of older people and ensure that both parts of Ireland are geared up to meet the needs of an ageing society.”
Call 3 of the CARDI grants programme will open later in the year and will have a budget of more than €300,000.
To keep up date with our work follow us on
Roger O’Sullivan
Director
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