There’s no one kind of ‘older person’, and often, describing them as such overlooks the enormous diversity of this group. Policymakers and service providers have typically relied on one-size-fits-all approaches, which are not always appropriate for diverse populations within the umbrella of ‘older people’. Here, Dr Amy Barron outlines a new toolkit for policymakers to […]
“I don’t do anything”: It’s time to place more emphasis on strength training in later life
Since 2011, the UK Chief Medical Officers’ (CMOs) guidelines on physical activity have included strength recommendations. However, there is limited evidence that these recommendations are getting through to those who need them. In this blog, Dr Ashley Gluchowski outlines how older adults are engaging with the guidelines, and whether more can be done by public […]
Uncertain Futures: Voicing the Contributions of Older Women
One of the themes of this year’s International Day of Older Persons is the resilience and contributions of older women. The Uncertain Futures participatory research team interviewed 100 women over 50 about their experiences of paid and unpaid work. In this blog, Dr Elaine Dewhurst from the Law School and the Manchester Institute for Collaborative […]
Making light work: Recommendations for healthy lighting
Light exposure has important effects on human health and wellbeing, regulating our sleep/wake cycles, and influencing our mental and physical health. Advances in our understanding of the role of light in health, and emerging lighting technologies, now present opportunities to adjust lighting to promote optimal physical and mental health and performance. In this blog, Professor […]
What we need to know next about loneliness
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the UK’s mental health, particularly loneliness. Data from spring 2021 found a million more adults were feeling lonely “often” or “always” compared to spring 2020. Now, a recent evidence review for DCMS, led by Professor Pamela Qualter, has set out what we know – and don’t […]
Only a call away: Reducing loneliness and social isolation in older people
For many older people, the COVID-19 pandemic increased levels of loneliness and isolation. They were unable to visit friends and family, and access in-person support. Low levels of digital literacy among older people also prevented them from making the most of online support services. Here, Dr Lis Boulton assesses the effects that the pandemic had […]
Recognising the role of key workers now and in the future employment landscape
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the country has become more aware and appreciative of the workers now called ‘key workers’. However, organisational change and deregulation over recent years has led to high levels of job degradation in key work sectors. In this blog, Gail Hebson and Miguel Martínez Lucio introduce and present research from a range […]
The voluntary and community sector and COVID-19: Going to war without ammunition?
COVID-19 has forced us all to rethink how to maintain social connections in the neighbourhoods where we live and work. For the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE), this has meant a rapid rethink in how to provide services whilst observing social distancing guidelines. In this blog, Sophie Yarker and Kirsty Bagnall, along with Tine Buffel, Patty […]
Locked down by inequality: Why place matters for older people during COVID-19
Older people have borne the brunt of deaths from COVID-19, whether in hospital or in care homes. At the same time, the coronavirus emergency sits alongside a crisis in many of the communities in which older people live. In this blog, Chris Phillipson, Camilla Lewis, Tine Buffel, Patty Doran and Sophie Yarker examine how the […]
Examining the impact of social distancing on older adults
Social distancing has transformed the lives of everyone in society. However, some groups have been affected more than others, such as those already socially isolated, people in poor health, or those living in low-income communities. In this blog, Tine Buffel, Patty Doran, Camilla Lewis, Chris Phillipson and Sophie Yarker, from the Manchester Urban Ageing Research […]