Independence and Quality of Later Life: A decade of research to support older people
14 May 2009
Independence and Quality of Later Life: A decade of research to support older people
Hosted by: Bath University
Sponsored by: KT-EQUAL
Event organisers:
Professor Chris Eccleston, University of Bath
Lisa Austin, School for Health, University of Bath
Verity Smith, Coordinator, KT-EQUAL
with support from the Pan-Bath & Swindon Primary Care Research Consortium
Date: 14 May 2009
Venue:
Hilton Hotel, Bath
Walcot Street
Bath, BA1 5BJ
01225 463 411
United Kingdom
Please note that this workshop is oversubscribed. By all means register your interest. We will let you know if a place becaomes available.
Eleven Years of Achievement
The EPSRC EQUAL initiative has been running for just over 11 years. During that time it has supported many innovative projects, some of which have had a major impact on professional practice, government policy and even regulations and standards.
This workshop will provide an opportunity to hear about the achievements of the three most substantial projects supported by EQUAL as well as to hear about plans to ensure that EQUAL continues to have an impact. Each of the three projects has been organised as a consortium of universities. Each is focused on a distinctive area.
SMART - Initially explored how technology might be used to facilitate active in-home rehabilitation for people following stroke. Users, carers and clinical stroke therapists were an integral part of the project from an initial scoping of need through to the testing new iterations of the SMART system as it developed. It has recently developed into deepening understanding of the potential for technology in the support of self-management of chronic conditions. This is being achieved by creating user-centred designs for technology, resulting in a personalised self-management system, and by carrying out extensive studies with the technology in use.
I'DGO - Inclusive Design for Getting Outdoors - is identifying the most effective ways of ensuring the outdoor environment is designed to enhance older people's quality of life. In focusing on inclusive design and the changing needs of older people, the consortium is also addressing issues that are relevant to a wider range of people in society.
i~design Too many products are targeted at young able-bodied users. As a result, they are neither accessible nor desirable to the older user and, in practice, able-bodied users often find them difficult or frustrating to use. Hence, significant effort is needed to develop approaches to design that will challenge this traditional design practice. This project aims to embed inclusive design thinking in the UK design and retail community, thus enabling the design of more inclusive products. It has had two previous phases: Building a knowledge base, and Understanding business needs. It is now engaged with the challenge of Enabling designers to work with users.
All three projects are being carried out in collaboration with the very wide range of stakeholders with an interest in meeting the needs and improving the quality of life of older people.
Participants attending the workshop will also have an opportunity to hear about how KT-EQUAL is adding to the legacy of SPARC by introducing further activities to ensure that ageing and disability-related research in the UK has an impact and makes a difference to the lives of older people.
Who should attend?
The workshop will be of interest to a wide range of practitioners and policy makers, health and social care practitioners, employers, charitable and government bodies concerned with the needs of older and disabled people, as well as researchers and academics from engineering, biological, social science, medical and health care disciplines. Older people and their carers will be especially welcome at this workshop.
There is no charge for attendance just an enthusiasm and interest in extending the quality of life through informed user-focused research and its application. Registration is essential. To book a place, please refer to the registration page.
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