The demographics, statistics and predicted trends surrounding ageing can make fascinating, and sometimes alarming, reading. However, all too often researchers, policy-makers, and service providers can become transfixed by the numbers and lose sight of the individual experiences of the people behind the statistics.
This report, funded by the Big Lottery Fund (BLF), explores the lives of older people in England today, and of the family and friends around them. We try to show older people’s lives in the context of their own personal histories and experiences, as well as their current experience of ageing. How does being older affect them? What are their perceptions of this time of their life? How do their current experiences draw from their own life history? What activities do they take part in? What support do they value? How do they experience support from the State? What would improve their lives?
The report gives a window into older people’s lives, and an insight into the ways they can and do contribute to the community, whilst also serving as a resource for use by anyone is who is developing services for older people, or indeed developing services for the wider population. Radical thinking is needed about how we can better support older people within our communities and about how care and support is provided.
Posted on: 1 November 2011 Authors: Carmel O’Sullivan, Diana Gerald, Jacques Mizan, Will Norman,