Living environments

Making art galleries dementia-friendly spaces is the aim of the Azure programme which is being rolled out nationwide, inspired by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. The idea is that people with Alzheimer’s or dementia will engage with art, aided by facilitators. Read more here.

New research funded by Audley and care group Bupa on the wellbeing of residents of retirement communities run by Audley and Anchor Trust suggests that residents experience only half the levels of loneliness reported by older people living independently elsewhere. The research by ageing population think tank ILC-UK claims they have a higher quality of life and feel more in control of things.

Registration is now open for Dublin City University's inaugural International Age-Friendly Conference "Engaging Ageing - universities as engines of healthy and active ageing" which will take place November 2nd and 3rd at The Helix, DCU.

The keynote speaker is Dr. Jane Barratt, Secretary General of the International Federation on Ageing.  Other speakers include Ann Sophie Parent CEO, AGE Platform and Hugh O'Connor CEO, Age Friendly Ireland.

With falls by older people living in the community now estimated to cost Scotland’s health and care services more than £471m every year, a new campaign has begun that encourages older people to avoid falling. The City of Edinburgh Council and NHS Lothian have jointly launched Five Small Steps To Stay On Your Feet which gives people simple tips to try and prevent falls and also information about what to do if they do suffer one.

A major new health survey involving almost 700 older people in Derry’s Triax area has found that almost 60% suffer from low mood and anxiety related conditions.