The conference was held at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU),
organised by BSG Scotland and GCU’s Centre for Gerontological Practice.
Although most participants were from Central Scotland, others came from,
for example, Orkney, London, Newcastle and Ireland. During the day, our
keynote speakers considered the future of ageing from a range of
different perspectives. The morning session was chaired by Professor
Claire Ballinger and the afternoon session by Professor Debbie Tolson,
both of GCU.
Professor Alison Bowes, University of Stirling, set the scene with The Ageing Population: Modelling some Policy Implications. Alison
noted that recent developments in policy for older people focus on
independence, the whole person and individual responsibility; that
policy rhetoric suggests that older people are to be empowered; and that
care professionals will work in new ways with us as we age. Drawing on
several research projects, including work with David Bell, she explored
the policy implications of developments in the future delivery of care
and support for older people, adopting an approach which draws on
evidence of what older people themselves prefer and the extent to which
this is supported by the developing policy agenda. Alison discussed two
key examples: the possible future of unpaid care (a critical element of
the system of care and support) and the possible impact of telecare,
which has been presented as a possible solution to limitations of carer
support (both paid and unpaid) in the future. Alison raised questions
about the realism of this scenario.
Betty McIntosh, Renfrewshire Seniors Forum, gave an Older Person’s Perspective.
Beginning with the assertion: ‘I’m not an older person!’ she pointed
out that we view age differently at different times. Betty gave her
personal perspective on experiences of retirement, which she experienced
as a void when it happened. She found that she had lost her status and
identity, but was soon drawn into a ‘temporary’ job as secretary to the
‘Elderly Forum’ which lasted for ten years. Also involved in BGOP, and a
governor at Paisley University, she was very busy and is now trying to
divest herself of responsibilities. Betty spoke about what a pensioner
can expect in future years. She thought that older people in Britain
today have a raw deal and that nobody cares about them, even though they
are providing much support for spouses, children and grandchildren.
Betty ended with the motto: ‘Us today, you tomorrow!’ and warned that we
need to think about these issues for the future. A lively discussion
followed.
Professor Sally Wyke, University of Stirling, gave the Tilda Gaskell
Memorial Lecture, in memory of our colleague who had been an active
member of BSG Scotland. Sally’s topic was Self Care and Ageing;
noting that ‘self-care’ is a focus for health policies across the
world, Sally posed the question: Why now? She traced the development of
self-care as a policy solution and identified two underlying models. The
first sees self-management as a shift in responsibilities for care from
professional to patient and develops solutions based on ‘shifting the
balance of care’. It is based on a deficit model of illness management
that sees people as patients and patients as problems that can be solved
through their education and technology. The second is concerned that
current models of support for older or chronically ill people are
inadequate. It is based on a self-determination model that sees people
as utilising whatever resources they have as well as they can and argues
for more resource to help them do so. Sally argued that both policy
models have relevance in Scotland but that the main aims and likely
resource implications of policy and practice innovations should be
explicit.
During the two hour lunch session, participants were able to network,
look at exhibitions and view the posters displayed. There were
presentations by each of the ten poster presenters, with a discussant
session, chaired by Dr Pauline Banks. The session was well attended and
presentations stimulated much interest and discussion.
The afternoon session began with an address by Sandra White MSP,
convener of the Cross Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Older
People, Age and Ageing. Sandra considered what will become of older
people in the future and was disappointed that the media do not take up
the positive contributions that older people make to society. Sandra
outlined a wide range of policy issues and developments, stressing the
importance of asking older people what they want. Suggestions included
the introduction of phased retirement; a skills bank for workers aged
50+; a free financial MOT at different stages of life; and more
intergenerational practices. She stressed the need to lobby the
government to make sure that things happen. Sandra thought it important
to start now to make sure that the future is secure for older people and
to combat age discrimination. She offered to take up issues that
participants wished to raise. Her final comment was: ‘Just because you
are old doesn’t mean you are finished in society!’
Professor Alan Newell, University of Dundee, spoke on New Technologies and Older People.
He thought that the majority of older people do not understand new
technology and examined the question of why so many older people are
being disenfranchised by technology. Alan considered that modern
technology is significantly more difficult to use than before and that
this is getting worse. The Queen Mother Research Centre is trying to
convey to policy makers the difficulties that older people have with new
technologies. They used theatre professionals to develop the video Relative Confusion
(from Soundsmove Pictures in association with University of Dundee,
2007). Alan drew on scenes from the video to show some of the challenges
provided by new technology to older users, illustrating the results of
long-term research into these challenges. Alan asked participants to
consider whether techniques of using theatre could be useful within
their own profession. The concluding discussion focused both on the
contents of the film and on the use of professional theatre to raise
awareness.
Dr Dawn Skelton, GCU, addressed the topic Healthy Active Ageing,
exploring the role of exercise and physical activity in an ageing
population. Dawn noted that health and leisure professionals are now
commonly dealing with patients who have poor functional mobility and
co-morbidities associated with an inactive lifestyle. She stressed that a
healthier old age requires less risk of disease, better physical and
mental function, richer opportunities for social interaction and a
greater sense of control over one’s own health and well-being. Dawn
showed that regular physical activity that includes specific balance,
aerobic and strength exercises play an important part in enabling older
people to remain above critical thresholds by preventing and managing
disease, preserving and restoring function, reducing factors conducive
to falling and maintaining an active, independent and functional later
life. She invited the audience to stand up and participate in exercises
showing the importance of balance and vision. She also explored the need
to understand the barriers and motivators to undertaking physical
activity and suggested work with peer mentors to encourage activity in
less active groups.
Professor Chris Phillipson, Keele University, closed the session with a stimulating and wide ranging presentation on Globalisation and the Future of Old Age.
He argued that globalisation, as a set of economic, cultural and social
processes, is set to have a major influence on the future of growing
old and the policies which shape the lives of older people. Population
ageing has been relocated to a trans-national context, with
international organizations and cross-border migrations creating new
conditions and environments for older people and the nations to which
they relate. Chris explored the extent to which globalisation has
produced a distinctive stage in the social history of ageing and
considered that ageing can no longer be viewed as a ‘national’ problem
or issue but one that now affects, and is itself influenced, by
trans-national agencies and communities. He identified three issues for
the future: the impact of globalisation on issues of governance and
citizenship; the likely emergence of a new ‘global geography of the life
course’; and the role of migration and transnational communities.
Participants left the conference with much food for
thought and further discussion on the future of ageing. Positive
feedback suggests that the day was successful in meeting the
expectations of the academics, professionals, practitioners and older
people who attended and enjoyed the conference.