The Northern Ireland Assembly approved a Bill designed to establish a Commissioner for Older People.
Source: Commissioner for Older People Bill, Northern Ireland Assembly/TSO | Assembly Debate 7 December 2010, Official Report/TSO
Links: Text of Bill | Explanatory memorandum | Official Report | NIA press release | NIE press release
Date: 2010-Dec
A new book examined future research challenges for social scientists concerning population ageing, pensions, health, and social care in Europe.
Source: Lans Bovenberg, Arthur Van Soest and Asghar Zaidi (eds.), Ageing, Health and Pensions in Europe: An economic and social policy perspective, Palgrave Macmillan
Links: Summary
Date: 2010-Dec
An article (in the 27th British Social Attitudes report) examined the extent to which age was a source of identity in the same way as gender, race, and social class. Those aged 18-29 were more likely to feel discriminated against than any other age group, and were viewed more negatively than older people.
Source: Rory Fitzgerald, Eric Harrison and Frank Steinmaier, <:'Age identity and conflict: myths and realities', in Alison Park and Elizabeth Clery (eds.), British Social Attitudes: The 27th Report, SAGE Publications
Links: Summary | NatCen press release | City University press release
Date: 2010-Dec
A report presented the findings from an analysis of two data sources used to measure attitudes to age and experiences of ageism. The aim of the analyses was to understand in greater detail how well these data sources captured attitudes to age and experiences of ageism, and use this to develop a reliable and short set of indicators for further use in an omnibus survey.
Source: Christin-Melanie Vauclair, Dominic Abrams and Christopher Bratt, Measuring Attitudes to Age in Britain: Reliability and validity of the indicators, Working Paper 90, Department for Work and Pensions
Links: Working paper | DWP press release
Date: 2010-Nov
An article critically examined the argument that the levels of income and wealth enjoyed by older cohorts (the 'welfare generation' born in the post-war period) could only be sustained by cutbacks in entitlements for younger cohorts – leading to a growing 'generational fracture' over welfare policy.
Source: Paul Higgs and Chris Gilleard, 'Generational conflict, consumption and the ageing welfare state in the United Kingdom', Ageing and Society, Volume 30 Issue 8
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-Nov
A report summarized the findings of wave 4 of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, based on data collected in 2008-09. The study examined the social and economic conditions, health, and well-being of people in England aged 50 and over.
Source: James Banks et al. (eds.), Financial Circumstances, Health and Well-Being of the Older Population in England: The 2008 English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (Wave 4), Institute for Fiscal Studies
Links: Report | Summary | UCL press release
Date: 2010-Oct
A briefing paper examined the case for creating a Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland.
Source: Reviewing the Case for an Older People's Commissioner for Northern Ireland, Briefing Note 93/10, Northern Ireland Assembly
Links: Briefing
Date: 2010-Sep
A report examined why people retired when they did and how this might change in the future. The government needed to give more attention to: preventative healthcare throughout the life-course; job quality for older workers; the potential of 'gradual retirement'; simplifying the pensions system and improving the provision of advice; and the support offered to older people with caring responsibilities.
Source: Craig Berry, The Future of Retirement, International Longevity Centre – UK
Links: Report | ILC press release
Date: 2010-Jun
A study examined what worked in intergenerational practice – activities that brought together older adults and young people or children. Five projects were selected, covering football, arts, knife crime, living history, and personal and social education.
Source: Kerry Martin, Iain Springate and Mary Atkinson, Intergenerational Practice: Outcomes and Effectiveness, National Foundation for Educational Research
Date: 2010-Jun
A report examined Welsh policy responses to a rapidly ageing society.
Source: John Osmond, Adding Life to Years: Welsh policy approaches to ageing, Institute of Welsh Affairs
Links: Summary
Date: 2010-Jun
An article examined regional and sub-regional variations in the concentration of older people. It also investigated measures of well-being of the ageing population – including benefits and income deprivation, life expectancy, aspects of health and social care, older workers, and qualifications and learning.
Source: James Bayliss and Frances Sly, 'Ageing across the UK', Regional Trends 42: 2010 edition, Office for National Statistics
Links: Article | ONS press release
Date: 2010-Jun
A report examined the quality of life of older people living in rural areas of Northern Ireland.
Source: Deirdre Heenan, Rural Ageing in Northern Ireland: Quality of life amongst older people, Northern Ireland Executive
Links: Report
Date: 2010-Mar
A paper examined the implications of an ageing population for businesses. It considered how to retain the capabilities of older generations in the world of work; the opportunities for business in meeting the demand for goods and services from the older population; and how government policy could support these opportunities.
Source: Is Business Ready for an Ageing Nation? Economic opportunities and challenges of ageing: Discussion paper, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Links: Paper | Analytical paper
Date: 2010-Mar
A report said that the language used to talk about older people and technology was often 'ageist', and underplayed the diversity of their usage, attitudes, and experiences. People, of whatever age, were 'multi-dimensional' and technology needed to support multi-dimensional lives and experiences.
Source: Simon Roberts, The Fictions, Facts and Future of Older People and Technology, International Longevity Centre – UK
Links: Report | ILC press release
Date: 2010-Feb
The government published a summary of responses to a consultation on its strategy for preparing for an ageing society.
Source: Building a Society for All Ages: Consultation Response, Cm 7800, Department for Work and Pensions/TSO
Links: Report | Hansard | Consultation document
Date: 2010-Feb
An article examined the achievements of the 'Better Government for Older People' project, designed to involve older citizens in the improvement of policies affecting them. (The project was closed down by the government in 2008.)
Source: Brian Groombridge, 'Better government with older citizens: a test of democracy', Political Quarterly, Volume 81 Issue 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-Feb
The government published a policy statement on its aim of prohibiting unjustified age discrimination, and on proposals for specific exceptions.
Source: Equality Bill: Making It Work – Ending Age Discrimination in Services and Public Functions – Policy Statement, Government Equalities Office
Links: Statement | Hansard | GEO press release | ABI press release | Community Care report
Date: 2010-Jan
