An article analysed key aspects of data collection on older people, including survey design and questions. It focused on three areas where there was under-representation in some statistical sources - older people in institutions; the oldest old people; and older people from ethnic minorities.
Source: Cecilia Tomassini, 'Demographic data needs for an ageing population', Population Trends 118, Winter 2004, Office for National Statistics, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Article (pdf)
Date: 2004-Dec
A new book assessed 'stereotyped conceptions' of ageing, and offered a critical perspective. It explored the diversity of individual pathways of ageing, the sources of identifications, migration and otherness, and the tension between social structures and personal agency.
Source: Svein Olav Daatland and Simon Biggs (eds.), Ageing and Diversity: Multiple pathways and cultural migrations, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2004-Dec
A report outlined the benefits of volunteering for older people, in terms of providing a sense of purpose, opportunities for self-development, and building confidence. Older volunteers were helping to break down isolation for both themselves and their communities.
Source: Gillian Dalley, Retire into Action: A study of the benefits of volunteering to older people, Community Service Volunteers (020 7278 6601)
Links: Report (pdf) | CSV press release
Date: 2004-Dec
The government announced its intention to legislate for the establishment of an older people's commissioner in Wales by 2007.
Source: Press release 7 December 2004, Wales Office (wales.office@walesoffice.gsi.gov.uk)
Links: Wales Office press release | WAG press release | Community Care report
Date: 2004-Dec
The first of a series of reports was published on the needs and circumstances of older people in Northern Ireland.
Source: Eileen Evason, Katrina Lloyd, Pat McKee and Paula Devine, Older People in Northern Ireland: Report 1 - Setting the scene, Institute of Governance, Public Policy and Social Research/Queen s University Belfast (028 9097 2549)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2004-Nov
The government announced two new in-depth projects looking at how mainstream services could work better to meet the needs of socially excluded people. The Social Exclusion Unit would investigate the barriers faced by young adults with severe or multiple problems during their transition to adulthood, and the problems experienced by socially excluded older people.
Source: Press release 21 October 2004, Social Exclusion Unit/Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (020 7944 8133)
Links: SEU press release
Date: 2004-Oct
A study examined the experience of ageing. Central to a 'good life' in old age was the value attached to interdependence: being part of a community where people cared about and looked out for each other; a determination 'not to be a burden', especially on close family; and an emphasis on mutual help and reciprocal relationships.
Source: Mary Godfrey, Jean Townsend and Tracy Denby, Building a Good Life for Older People in Local Communities: The experience of ageing in time and place, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 430033)
Links: Report (pdf) | JRF Findings 014
Date: 2004-Oct
A report set out the findings of a task group on housing, money and care for older people. It proposed a fundamental shift in the way that society and government addressed the issue of an ageing population, in order to tackle age discrimination and inequality.
Source: From Welfare to Well-being: Planning for an ageing society, Foundations 034, Joseph Rowntree Foundation (01904 629241)
Links: JRF Foundations 034
Date: 2004-Oct
A report drew together the conclusions of a large programme of work examining what older people themselves defined as priorities for living well in later life . Stereotypes of older people were major barriers preventing their real needs from being heard or acted upon. (The programme was developed by and with older people.)
Source: Older People Shaping Policy and Practice, Joseph Rowntree Foundation (01904 629241)
Links: Report (pdf) | JRF Foundations 044 | JRF press release | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Oct
The Mental Capacity Bill was given a second reading. The Bill defined who could take decisions, and in which situations, on behalf of people with a mental incapacity. The Catholic Church expressed concern over the risk of allowing euthanasia 'by omission'.
Source: House of Commons Hansard, Debate 11 October 2004, columns 22-122, TSO (0870 600 5522) | Press release 19 October 2004,Catholic Church in England & Wales (020 7901 4875)
Links: Hansard | HOC Library research paper (pdf) | MDA Briefing (pdf) | Mencap statement (pdf) | Age Concern press release | Catholic Church press release | Alzheimer's Society press release | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Oct
A new book provides a critical approach to conceptualizing and measuring 'quality of life' in social gerontology and health and social care research. It examined the impact of continuous personal and social changes on the lives of older people; and it described the experiences of older people through both their own personal accounts and representations in everyday life, popular culture and scientific research.
Source: John Bond and Lynne Corner, Quality of Life and Older People, Open University Press (01280 823388)
Links: Summary
Date: 2004-Sep
A new book provided a picture of quality of life in old age, based on the Growing Older Programme of research (1999-2004). It focused on ways in which quality of life could be extended for older people.
Source: Alan Walker and Catherine Hagan Hennessey (eds.), Growing Older: Quality of life in old age, Open University Press (01280 823388)
Links: Summary
Date: 2004-Sep
Campaigners published a manifesto for pensioners, containing 62 proposals including: the basic state pension should be raised to the level of the guarantee credit of 105.45 per week, and be paid in full to all pensioners; the basic state pension should rise every year in line with average earnings; all those of pensionable age should be provided with a free, annual comprehensive health check; all long-term care and accommodation should be provided free regardless of the setting; council tax should be abolished and replaced with a fairer and more equitable system based on government grants, increased localized business rates and income tax; and legislation should prevent age discrimination in the provision of all goods and services.
Source: Towards Dignity, Security and Fulfilment in Retirement, National Pensioners Convention (020 7553 6510)
Links: Manifesto (Word file) | Summary (Word file)
Date: 2004-Sep
An overview report by a committee of MPs examined the ageing of the population and its implications for the delivery of public services.
Source: Improving Public Services for Older People, Twenty-ninth Report (Session 2003-04), HC 626, House of Commons Public Accounts Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Jul
The government responded to a report by a committee of peers on aspects of the economics of an ageing population.
Source: Government Response to Aspects of the Economics of an Ageing Population, Second Report (Session 2003-04), HL 129, House of Lords Economic Affairs Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Response | Lords report
Date: 2004-Jul
A report said that women aged over 60 who were victims of domestic violence were suffering in silence, because the problem was ignored by professionals and policy makers.
Source: Older Women and Domestic Violence, Help the Aged (020 7278 1114) and Housing Associations' Charitable Trust
Links: Help the Aged press release | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Jul
A report said that the population of people aged 80 and over was set to rise to 4.9 million by 2031 nearly double the 2002 figure of 2.5 million.
Source: National Population Projections: 2002-based, Office for National Statistics, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report (pdf) | ONS press release (pdf) | GAD press release | Age Concern press release | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Jul
The Northern Ireland Executive published a consultation document which highlighted how ageing issues impacted across the generations. It covered topics such as financial planning for retirement, attitudes towards older people, and the need for society to value and retain their experience and expertise.
Source: Ageing in an Inclusive Society, Northern Ireland Executive (028 9052 3437)
Links: Consultation document (pdf) | NIE press release
Date: 2004-Jun
A think-tank report warned that social trends such as the growing number of people living alone, and the fragmentation of the nuclear family, had increased the risk of people becoming socially isolated in old age.
Source: Helen McCarthy and Gillian Thomas, Home Alone: Combating isolation with older
housebound people, Demos, available from Central Books (020 8986 5488)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary | Demos press release | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Jun
The government responded to a report by a committee of MPs on elder abuse within the health and social services. It said that it fully shared the committee's concerns: regulations and inspections of care services and care professionals had been tightened, and would be further strengthened by the newly created Commission for Social Care Inspection.
Source: The Government s Response to the Recommendations and Conclusions of The Health Select Committee s Inquiry into Elder Abuse, Cm 6270, Department of Health, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Response (pdf) | MPs report | DH press release
Date: 2004-Jun
A report painted a detailed picture of people aged 50 and over in Britain, including information on their characteristics, lifestyles and experiences. Older people made up an increasing proportion of the population, and were as varied as any other group. Many led active and healthy lives for many years over the age of 50. However, for the very old, there might be barriers which prevented them from participating in a wide variety of activities - either financial, or related to health or lack of transport.
Source: Focus on Older People, Office for National Statistics (0845 601 3034)
Links: Report | ONS press release (pdf)
Date: 2004-May
A report provided information on various aspects of the lives of older people in Scotland, based on the first four years of the Scottish Household Survey and supplemented by the Census 2001, government statistics and other survey data.
Source: Gillian Raab and Charlotte MacDonald, Older People in Scotland: Results from the Scottish Household Survey 1999-2000, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Date: 2004-May
A report by a committee of MPs said that research should be commissioned by the Department of Health to clarify the full extent of elder abuse within society.
Source: Elder Abuse, Second Report (Session 2003-04), HC 111, House of Commons Health Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | CDNA press release | Help the Aged press release | ADSS press release | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Apr
A new book provided an overview of relevant research and service development literature on health and well-being among older people. It presented and discussed a range of issues relevant to the health of older people, including attitudes and ageism, the body, the environment, family and community, sexuality and having fun.
Source: Jan Reed, David Stanley and Charlotte Clarke, Health, Well-being and Older People, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2004-Mar
A research report looked at how older people were involved in the planning, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of public services throughout Scotland, and the future involvement of older people in community planning.
Source: Belinda Dewar, Chris Jones and Fiona O May, Involving Older People: Lessons for community planning, Scottish Executive (web publication only)
Date: 2004-Feb
A private member's Bill was introduced to establish commissioners for older people in England and Wales.
Source: Ian Lucas MP, Old People's Commissioners Bill, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: None
Date: 2004-Jan
A report examined grandparents' relationships with their adult children and grandchildren in divorced families. It asked what part grandparents might play in public policy, and whether measures should be taken to support their grandparenting role.
Source: Neil Ferguson with Gillian Douglas, Nigel Lowe, Mervyn Murch and Margaret Robinson, Grandparenting in Divorced Families, Policy Press for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2004-Jan
