On 7th November 2008 the sixth BSG Scotland members’ event took place in
the Colin Bell Building, University of Stirling. This was an informal
half day event for BSG members and guests whom we hope to recruit to
BSG. The 16 participants were practitioners and academics, from Fife
Council; NHS Health Scotland; NHS Ayrshire and Arran; Glasgow Caledonian
University; Queen Margaret University; and University of Stirling. They
included two postgraduate students. After an enjoyable lunch and
networking time, the afternoon session was chaired by BSG Scotland
organising group member Dr. Louise McCabe from University of Stirling.
Louise introduced the session with information about BSG Scotland and
current news on gerontology at the University of Stirling, including the
Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC). BSG member Alison Bowes
was congratulated on her recent appointment to the Chair in Dementia
Research.
Professor Claire Ballinger, Glasgow Caledonian University, spoke on:
Older people’s experiences of falls services,
drawing on findings from a national study. Falls were presented by
government as an increasing burden for the NHS because of the
consequences of hip fracture. Audits of falls services by the Royal
College of Physicians showed that patient involvement had been low. The
national study, funded by the Health Care Commission, aimed to elicit
information about the views and experiences of patients to help develop
recommendations to support falls services providers. Nine focus groups
were held with a total of 40 participants representing 10 areas in
England. The study found that participants were unaware of falls
services and how to access them. A range of interventions were
implemented at the services and patients gave generally positive
feedback on them, although the findings of the assessment were not
always shared with patients. Participants identified a range of causes
of falls, including a loss of concentration. They perceived falls
services as generally a positive experience, with thorough assessment an
added advantage, and wished to continue with the services. The study
concluded that people valued the chance to share their experiences in a
friendly environment. Practical recommendations were made to improve
access for patients and to address issues they had raised.
Dr Anthea Innes, University of Stirling, gave a presentation on
Growing older in Malta.
She outlined retirement migration literature, which focused on the
impact on host communities; reasons for migrating; and experiences of
ageing out of place. Anthea carried out 16 in-depth interviews with
British migrants in Malta, addressing three research questions: Why was
Malta chosen as a retirement destination? What are the perceived
positive and negative aspects of growing older in Malta? To what extent
do UK citizens growing older in Malta perceive themselves to have
integrated into local communities? Participants’ main rationales for
choosing Malta were familiarity with the country; and leisure-lifestyle
migration. Push factors were immigration policies in the UK; fear of
crime; and high taxes. Pull factors were the friendly host community,
low taxes; climate; proximity to and similarities with the UK. Negative
impressions focused on migrants from Africa and environmental concerns.
The British migrants had friends and acquaintances among the Maltese
community as well as socialising with other British migrants. They
maintained contact with their place of origin by phone, email and visits
to and from the UK. They seemed well integrated and had no plans to
return to the UK. Future policy implications concerned health care,
since there was little community based care in Malta.
Corinne Adams, University of Stirling, spoke on her PhD research:
Older people and work activities in Scotland. The strategy document
All Our Futures
believes that older people want to continue in paid work. It recognises
that older people play an important role in other activities such as
care, childcare and volunteering. Corinne argues that these other
activities should be considered as a valid form of work, and that work
activities extend beyond paid employment. Her research addresses the
questions: What work activities are undertaken by older people in
Scotland, what interrelations exist between these activities and why?
What value/meanings do older people have in relation to these activities
and the interrelations between them? How are these meanings and values
constructed? Corinne’s approach will include interviews with around 30
people aged over 50 years, and memory-work with 6-8 groups of 4-5 people
aged over 50 years. The memory-work method takes a social
constructionist approach. Corinne will facilitate the discussions but
the nature of discussion will vary between groups. The aim is to
identify common understandings in relation to work activity and to
identify factors that might shape participants’ understandings. As
Corinne was due to start her fieldwork within the next two months, the
discussion included practical suggestions for recruiting interviewees
and conducting the groups.
In the concluding session, participants gave positive feedback on the
format and content of the event and the interesting range of topics
covered by the speakers. In 2009 there will be further BSG Scotland
members’ events in the Spring and Autumn.
For further information about BSG Scotland, please visit the webpage:
http://www.britishgerontology.org/index.asp?PageID=18.