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New Publication Gives Picture of Ageing Research in Ireland

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Date published: 
Monday, November 29, 2010
News source: 
CARDI
Region: 
Republic of Ireland
Northern Ireland
Featured item on home page: 
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The portrayal of older people in advertising; the use of technology to enable older people to live independently; bridging the digital divide through intergenerational learning; and genetic susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease – these are just some of the topics related to ageing being investigated by researchers in Ireland, North and South, as documented in a new publication launched by the Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland (CARDI). Josie Sheehan helps launch A Picture of Ageing Picture: Marc O'Sullivan

 
The publication, ‘A Picture of Ageing Research’, outlines – for the first time ever – major collaborative ageing research projects underway on the island of Ireland. It profiles ageing research work being carried out by the leading academic institutions in Ireland, North and South, and also includes details of projects funded under CARDI’s Research Grants Programme. 
 
Commenting on the publication, Dr. Roger O’Sullivan, Director of CARDI, said it would serve as a useful resource for politicians and policymakers, in addition to researchers, older people and others with an interest in ageing.
 
“The island of Ireland is an ageing society with nearly one million people aged 60 years or older,” he said. “By 2041, the number of people aged 85 years or older will rise almost fivefold. Ageing on this scale is unprecedented and will have significant consequences from both a societal and an economic point of view. 
 
“Policy, practice and resource allocation decisions must be made on the best available information, and it is essential that ageing research plays a part in planning for demographic change. In order to adapt, we must better understand the role of older people as citizens, consumers, carers and – increasingly – as workers. 
 
“Research into ageing in Ireland is a relatively new phenomenon. However, it is growing in strength and reputation across a wide range of disciplines, from biomedics to social sciences. It touches on age-related diseases; determinants of healthy ageing; ageing and economic development; changing family structures; social integration and participation; work and retirement; and economic security and pensions. One constant theme is the drive to improve the quality of life for the increasing number of older people on the island of Ireland.
 
“In addition to academic institutions, there are now a number of non-profit organisations, public bodies and national networks involved in ageing research projects here. The projects funded by CARDI are all-Ireland, interdisciplinary research projects, designed to improve policies and services for older people. A number of academic institutions, meanwhile, are conducting pioneering research that has gained international recognition, and many Irish researchers are increasingly focusing on ageing as a research priority. 
 
“This publication gives an overview of some of these research initiatives. It illustrates the breadth and quality of ageing research currently underway in Ireland, and the significant role research has in planning for all our futures.”     
 
‘A Picture of Ageing Research’ is available to download from: www.cardi.ie. 

 

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