Máire Hoctor T.D. Minister for Older People, this morning opens a ‘Showcase of Ageing and Disability Research’ taking place in Ireland.

The event highlights the latest research findings on ageing and disability issues that will have a major impact on the future of Ireland and its ageing population.

The Minister of State will introduce a day of presentations from 10.00am – 4.00pm in the Ash Suite at Croke Park in Dublin. The research being highlighted examines social inclusion, healthy long-term living and technology and design to support older people with a disability.

The event has been jointly organised by CARDI (The Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland) and SPARC (Strategic Promotion of Ageing Research Capacity) with the support of the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design of the National Disability Authority in Ireland.

Dr Roger O’Sullivan, Director of CARDI says “This showcase is an excellent opportunity to make stronger connections between those who carry out research and those who need this research to inform their priorities, such as housing providers and health professionals.  Making better use of research will ultimately result in our growing ageing population being able to live life to the full'.

Throughout the day policy makers and service providers will have access to the latest research to support them in planning for an ageing population and to identify further research required in a wide variety of areas relating to older people. 

Professor Peter Lansley, Director of SPARC says, “Developing the ageing research community is vital to help plan for the future. There is a growing recognition that today’s research can help inform tomorrow’s practice – something in which we all have a vested interest”.
 

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. THE FOLLOWING RESEARCH IS BEING PRESENTED:
Ageing and Disability: Professor Eamon O’Shea - Irish Centre for Social Gerontology
The potential of technology for self-management of long term conditions:
Dr Paul McCullagh, University of Ulster, Jordanstown

How can new technology help older car drivers?;
Suzette Keith - Middlesex University

Mobility and Falls: Professor Rose Anne Kenny, Trinity College Dublin

Memory and Ageing: Professor Ian H Robertson, Trinity College Dublin

Assistive Technologies - How can advances in technology assist users need?: Dr David Craig, Queen’s University Belfast and Dr Chris Nugent, University of Ulster

Nearly home...Ageing places and the Nestling Project:
Rodd Bond, Dundalk Institute of Technology

Universal Design: Factors that impact on Quality Design of the Urban Space
Neil Murphy, Centre for Excellence in Universal Design

INTERVIEWS CAN BE ARRANGED WITH RESEARCHERS ON 4TH DEC.

2. CARDI: The Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland (CARDI) is a not for profit organisation developed by leaders from the ageing field across Ireland (North and South), including age focused researchers, academics, statutory, voluntary and community sector representatives, to provide a mechanism for greater collaboration among age researchers, for wider dissemination of ageing research information and to advance a research agenda relevant to the needs of older people in Ireland (North and South). It is overseen by a Steering Group and hosted by the Institute of Public Health in Ireland with support from The Atlantic Philanthropies. For further information see www.cardi.ie
3. SPARC: SPARC is an initiative which brings together researchers, practitioners and policy makers in ageing. It specialises in communicating the latest design, engineering and biological ageing-related research to all stakeholders, making the case about the benefits for an ageing population of scientific research, and it encourages new blood into ageing research. See www.sparc.ac.uk
 
4. CEUD: The CEUD is part of the National Disability Authority (NDA) which is the primary body with the responsibility for the promotion of Universal Design in Ireland.

5. MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Before 4th December contact Dr Roger O’Sullivan on 0868 221770 and on 4th December contact Tony Macaulay (media relations) on +44 7811 265215

Please click here to download: CARDI PRESS RELEASE (PDF)