CARDI: An overview 2007-2015€¦ · Portfolio Publication - A Picture of Ageing Research in Ireland, North and South, updated CARDI Leadership Programme in Ageing Research - 3 CARDI

CARDI: An overview 2007-2015 1


Email: [email protected]: www.cardi.ie

Timeline 4

Foreword 6

inTroducTion 9

cArdi oVerView 11

2007–2015 at a glance 12

caRDI OUtPUtS 14

caRDI’S VISIOn & ValUeS 15

cArdi’S worK 16

SectIOn 1: BUIlDIng caPacIty • LeadershipProgramme 17• Internationalnetworksandconnections 18• Trainingevents 20

SectIOn 2: SUPPORtIng cOllaBORatIOn anD cOOPeRatIOn • CARDIGrantsProgramme 21• NorthernIrelandCohortfortheLongitudinalStudyofAgeing 22• EventsandSeminars 22

SectIOn 3: cOmmUnIcatIng ageIng ReSeaRch • Keypublications 30• CARDIwebsites 34 • Mediacoverage 35

cArdi STeering group 2007-2015 36

cArdi STAFF 2007-2015 38

AppendiceS 40

1. CARDIfundedresearch 412. LeadershipProgramme 483. CARDIpublications2008-2015 534. SelectionofCARDIworkshops,trainingevents,launchesandseminars2008-2015 57

Contents

Timeline

2003Theideaofanall-IrelandInstituteofAgeingResearchisproposed

FirstmeetingofSteeringGrouptodiscussall-IrelandInstituteofAgeingResearch

Thisgroupcontinuedtomeetandrefineitsconceptoverthenext2years

2005TheInstituteofPublicHealthinIreland(IPH)joinsSteeringGroup

BusinesscaseforCARDIandscopingstudyproduced,IPHagreestohostCARDI

2007DirectorofCARDIappointedandstaffteamcomeonboard

All-Irelandandcross-sectorSteeringGroupestablishedtooverseetheworkofCARDI

2006€2.4msecuredfromTheAtlanticPhilanthropiesandaugmentedbygrantsfromtheDepartmentofHealthandChildren(DOHC)RepublicofIreland(ROI)andtheHealthandSocialCareResearchandDevelopmentOfficeNorthernIreland(NI)whichtotalled€2.97m

2008Webresourceforresearchersinageingwithonlinedatabaselaunched-www.cardi.ie

CARDIstrategylaunchedinBelfastandDublinbyMinistersKelly,DonaldsonandHoctor

FirsteventheldinpartnershipwithStrategicPromotionofAgeingResearchCapacity(SPARC)-DevelopmentsinHousing,HealthandTechnologyforOlderPeople:ShowcasingResearch&Practice

CARDIfacilitatesdiscussiononaNorthernIrelandCohortfortheLongitudinalStudyofAgeing(NICOLA)

2009Firstall-IrelandAgeingResearchGrantsProgrammelaunched-6all-Irelandprojectssupported

SecondcallofCARDIGrantsProgramme-8all-Irelandprojectssupported

2003 20072005 20082006 2009


2010ThirdcallofCARDIGrantsProgramme-5all-Irelandprojectssupported

Seminarserieson‘InequalitiesinOldAge’takesplaceinBelfast,Dublin&Galway

LaunchofAPictureofAgeingResearchinIreland,NorthandSouth

DataMiningGrantsProgrammeestablishedandlaunched-6all-Irelandprojectssupported

2011InternationalconferenceinassociationwiththeInternationalAssociationofOfficialStatistics,NorthernIrelandStatisticsResearchAgency(NISRA),Queen’sUniversityBelfast(QUB)

AgeingGlobally-AgeingLocallyInternationalConference

InternationalexchangeprogrammeestablishedwithCanada

2012€1.69msecuredfromTheAtlanticPhilanthropies

GroupofpostdoctoralresearchersfromIrelandattendSummerPrograminAging,Vancouver,Canada

FutureLeadersinAgeingResearchinEuropeEventheldinGalwayinassociationwiththeEuropeanResearchAreainAgeing(ERA-AGE)andtheIrishCentreforSocialGerontology(ICSG)

2013CARDIStrategicPlanfor2013-2015launched

InternationalTrainingProgrammeestablished(hostedvisitbyCanadiandelegates)

DataMiningGrantsProgramme-7all-Irelandprojectssupported

Newwebresourcelaunched–Agestats.ie

CARDILeadershipProgrammeinAgeingResearchlaunchedsupportedbyTheAtlanticPhilanthropiesandHSCR&DPHANI-2CARDIFellowssupported

2014PortfolioPublication-APictureofAgeingResearchinIreland,NorthandSouth,updated

CARDILeadershipProgrammeinAgeingResearch-3CARDIFellowssupported

Inauguralmeeting-CARDILeadershipProgramme

2015CARDILeadershipProgrammeinAgeingResearch2014-15 CallinassociationwiththeAmericanFederationforAgingResearch’s(AFAR)PaulBeesonCareerDevelopmentAwardsinAgingResearchProgramfortheislandofIreland-4CARDIFellowssupported

LaunchoffinalresearchbrieffromGrantsprogramme

InternationalLeadershipProgramme-ScientificMeeting

DivisionofAgeingResearchandDevelopmentestablishedwithinTheIPH

2010 20132011 20142012 2015

Foreword


Foreword

Since its establishment in 2007, the Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland (CARDI) has been committed to building a strong and lasting community of researchers in ageing in Ireland, North and South.

ThroughitsfundingactivitiesithassupportedinnovativeresearchintoissuesaffectingtheageingpopulationoftheislandofIreland.However,fundingresearchersisnottheendofthestoryforCARDI’swork.CARDI’steamhasfocusedoncommunicationandtranslationofageingresearchtohelpevidenceinfluencepoliciesandpractices.

Workingcloselywithresearchers,thevoluntaryandcommunitysectorandpolicy-makerstoforgerelationshipshasbeencentraltoCARDI’sworktodate.

AconsiderableamountofdiscussionprecededthedevelopmentofCARDI.ItsfoundationswereinitiatedbyaSteeringGroupcomposedofrepresentativesfromacademic,government,non-government,voluntaryandcommunitysectors,withsupportfromTheAtlanticPhilanthropies.

In2003DrKenLogueofTheAtlanticPhilanthropiesapproachedProfessorBobStoutQUBforsuggestionsonhowAtlanticcouldincreaseitsfundingofageingresearchinIreland.ProfessorStoutcontactedProfessorDavisCoakleyTCDandinassociationwithDrLoguetheymetanumberofleadersfromtheacademicandvoluntarysectorsacrossIreland,NorthandSouth.FromthisgroupaSteeringGroupwasformedwithrepresentationfromacademic,government,voluntaryandcommunitysectorswithDrLoguecontinuinginasupportiverole.

Theinitialsteeringgroupmembersincluded:BobCarrollfromTheNationalCouncilonAgeingandOlderPeopleinDublin;DeryckPattersonfromAgeConcern;GraceHenryfromHelptheAged;DrDenisO’MahonyandProfessorCillianTwomeyfromCorkUniversityHospital;ProfessorEamonO’SheafromtheNationalUniversityofIrelandGalway(NUIG);RobinWebsterfromAgeActionIreland;ProfessorStoutandProfessorCoakley,Co-ChairsofCARDI.

ProfessorStoutpresentedapaperontheconceptofanall-IrelandinstituteofageingandotherpapersweredevelopedandpresentedbyProfessorO’Shea,RobinWebster,ProfessorTwomeyandDrO’Mahony.TheSteeringGroupcontinuedtomeetoverthefollowingyears,workingwithTheAtlanticPhilanthropiestoadvanceitsproposal.

TheproposalwastheestablishmentoftheCentreforAgeingResearchandDevelopmentinIreland(CARDI)centredonencouraging,supportingandenhancingageingresearchacrosstheislandofIreland.In2005,tohelpadvancetheideaandinordertoavoidthesetupofanewlegalentity,theSteeringGroupapproachedtheInstituteofPublicHealthinIreland(IPH)toconsiderhostingCARDI.DrJaneWildeCEOandOwenMetcalfeDirectorfromIPHplayedakeyroleinthefurtherdevelopmentofthenewCentreandtworeportswerecommissionedtosupportanapplicationforfunding.

TheAtlanticPhilanthropiesagreedtofundtheestablishmentofCARDI.ThiswasaugmentedwithgrantsfromtheDOHC(ROI)andfromtheHSCR&DOfficeNI.TheIPHagreedtohostCARDIandprovideitslegalandfinancialstatus.

Anewsteeringgroupwasestablishedin2007tooverseetheworkofCARDI,whichcontinuedtobechairedbyProfessorsCoakleyandStout,andincludedGabrielleJacobNationalCouncilonAgeingandOlderPeople;OwenMetcalfeIPH;DrO’MahonyCorkUniversityHospital;AnneO’ReillyAgeConcern;ProfessorO’SheaNUIG;RobinWebsterAgeActionIrelandandDrRogerO’SullivanCARDI.

8 CARDI: An overview 2007-2015

Followinganextensiveperiodofconsultationourfirststrategy2008-2011waslaunchedinbothBelfastandDublinin2008byMinistersresponsibleforolderpeople’sservicesandpolicy–MinistersKellyandDonaldsonfromtheOfficeoftheFirstMinisterandDeputyFirstMinister(OFMDFM),andMinisterHoctorfromtheDOHC(ROI).

CARDI’sfirststrategyfocusedonfourthemes:• IdentifyingandestablishingageingresearchprioritiesrelevanttopolicyandpracticeinIreland,NorthandSouth;

• PromotinggreatercollaborationandcooperationonageingresearchinordertobuildanageingresearchcommunityinIreland,NorthandSouth;

• StimulatingresearchinpriorityareasthatcaninformpolicyandpracticerelatingtoageingandolderpeopleinIreland,NorthandSouth;

• CommunicatingstrategicresearchissuesonageingtoraisetheprofileofageingresearchinIreland,NorthandSouth,anditsroleininformingpolicyandpractice.

In2013buildingonthesuccessofourfirststrategy,wepublishedastrategyfocusedonsupportingthedevelopmentofnext-generationleadershipandresearchtranslation.

CARDI’sstrategy(2013-2015)centredonthreeareasofwork:• Stimulating,supportinganddevelopingstrategicageresearchinIreland,NorthandSouth;• DevelopingskilledleadersonageingresearchacrosstheislandofIreland;• Translatingandcommunicatingrelevantresearchtohelpensureithasthemaximumimpactonagepolicyandpractice.

CARDIhas,fromdayone,focusedonencouragingcollaborationamongageresearchers,disseminatingresearchinformationrelevanttoanageingpopulationandadvocatingontheroleofageingresearchinIreland,NorthandSouth.

Ourunderlyingpurposehasremainedtoimprovethelivesoftheever-increasingnumberofolderpeopleinIreland,NorthandSouth,bysupportingpolicy-relevantresearch.

ThisreportprovidesaflavouroftheworkthathasbeenundertakensinceCARDI’sestablishment.Ithasbeenanexcitingjourneywatchingourthoughtsmoveintoaction.WearedelightedthatageingresearchinIreland,NorthandSouth,isflourishingandthespiritofco-operationacrosstheislandofIrelandisnowstrongerthaneverbefore.

ThenextphasewillseetheintegrationofCARDIintoTheIPHinIrelandin2015wherebyaDivisionofAgeingResearchandDevelopmentwillbeestablishedwithintheInstitute.ThisprovidesagreatopportunitytobuildontheachievementsofCARDIandhelpdeveloptheageingagendafurtheracrosstheislandofIreland.

Finally,wewouldliketotakethisopportunitytothanktheSteeringGroupofCARDIanditsteamfortheirtimeanddedication.WearegratefulforthesupportofTheAtlanticPhilanthropies,theHealthandSocialCareResearchandDevelopmentOfficeandtheResearchandDevelopmentDivisionofthePublicHealthAgency(NI),theDepartmentofHealthandChildren(ROI),OfficeoftheFirstMinisterandDeputyFirstMinister,andtheInstituteofPublicHealthinIrelandformakingthisworkpossible.

Professor Davis coakley Professor Bob StoutCo-ChairCARDI Co-ChairCARDI


Introduction


Today 1.1 million people aged 60 and over live on the island of Ireland; by 2041 there will be 2.44 million aged 60 and over – nearly one-third of the population. We are living longer than ever before and many of us are living healthier lives into old age, though this is not universal. Considerable health, social and economic inequalities have yet to be overcome to help us achieve a healthy, active and fulfilling old age for all.

why Ageing research mattersAnageingpopulationbringsimplicationsforpolicy,servicedeliveryandlong-termplanningindiverseareassuchastransport,health,housing,educationandemployment.Researchcanplayavitalroleinhelpingtoinformbetterpolicy-makingandplanningforthisageingpopulationwhichwillhelpimprovethelivesofolderpeopleacrosstheislandofIreland.

Ageing research in ireland, north and SouthAsidefrombranchesofscienceandmedicineageingasatopicofresearchisquiteanewphenomenoninIreland,NorthandSouth.Whileresearchactivityexistedwithinacademia,governmentalandnon-governmentalsectorsittraditionallytendedtobequitefragmentedanddispersed.Individualresearchersandcentreshadwell-establishedreputationsbuttherewaslittlecoordinationandintegrationbetweenresearchersthemselvesandbetweenthoseinthepolicy-makingandpracticesectorsrelatingtoageing.Furthermorethereexistedaconsiderableamountofresearchthatmighthavebeenrelevanttoageingbutwasnotbeingfedintopolicy-making.

development of cArdi AgainstthisbackgroundCARDI’sfoundationswereinitiatedbyaSteeringGroupestablishedin2003.Comprisingleadersfromtheresearchcommunity,government,non-government,andvoluntaryandcommunitysectors,thisgroupsetinmotiontheestablishmentofanall-islandorganisationtofosteranddevelopageingresearchinIreland,NorthandSouth.

ChairedbyProfessorBobStoutQUBandProfessorDavisCoakleyTrinityCollegeDublin(TCD),thegrouprecognisedtheneedforanall-islandorganisationtosupportageingresearchtohelpithaveanimpactonpolicy-makingandplanningfortheageing.In2005,TheIPHjoinedtheSteeringGroupandagreedtohostCARDI.AbusinesscaseandapplicationgainedsupportfromTheAtlanticPhilanthropies,augmentedbygrantsfromtheHealthandSocialCareResearch&DevelopmentOffice(NI)andtheDOHC(ROI).

ItwasagreedthatCARDIoperateatastrategiclevelandfocusonbuildingcapacityamongtheresearchcommunity,andfacilitatingconnectionsbetweenacademiaandpolicysectors.

CARDIwasestablishedin2007withtheunderlyingpurposeofimprovingthelivesofthegrowingnumberofolderpeopleinIreland,NorthandSouth,bysupportinghighqualitypolicy-relevantresearch.Recognisingthevalueofcooperationandpoolingofresourcesandexpertiseitsoughttoencourageandstimulateresearchthatworkedacrossborders,disciplinesandsectorsintoageingissues.In2015,CARDIwillbeincorporatedintoTheIPHasaDivisionofAgeingResearchandDevelopment,focusedonutilisingtheevidencebasetohelpimprovepoliciesandservicesforolderpeopleinIreland,NorthandSouth.

Introduction


CARDI Overview


Email: [email protected]: www.cardi.ie

2007-2015 at a Glance

Since 2007 CARDI has delivered a highly successful programme of work which has advanced ageing research, raised the profile of the research community and helped draw attention to the central role research can play in improving later life for all citizens of Ireland, North and South.

Highlightsinclude:

research grants programme CARDIdeliveredahighlysuccessfulall-Irelandinterdisciplinarygrantsprogramme.ThirtytworesearchprojectswerefundedbyCARDIincluding13projectswhichfocusedondatamining.Awardsrangedfrombetween€2,000and€85,000.Theprogrammefundedresearchinareasincludinghealthandillness(inappropriateprescribing,multimorbidity,heartdiseaseanddisability);physicalactivity(falls,brainfunction,mentalhealth);incomeandpoverty(fuelpoverty,impactoftherecession,pensions);dementia(end-of-lifecare,medication);socialexclusion(ruralageing,transport);caresystems(apredictivemodelforlong-termcare).

leadership programmeIn2013CARDIestablishedaspecificprogrammefocusedonsupportingthenextgenerationleadersinageingresearch.Itinvested€2milliontofundnineCARDIFellowswhowillinvestigatekeyissuesinageingresearchincludingdietandcognitivehealth,frailty,theimpactofstressoncognitiveandcardiovascularhealthinolderpeople,andthelinksbetweensocialisolationandcognitiveoutcomesinlaterlife.

communication and translation CARDIestablishedanageingresearchwebsitewithanonlinedatabaseofresearchers;ane-libraryofover4,000publicationsaswellasthelatestnews,eventsandfundingopportunities.CARDIproducedover140publications,includinggrantsprogrammebriefings,monthlye-bulletins,substantialpaperse.g.APictureofAgeingResearchinIreland(2010)(2014);IllustratingAgeinginIreland,NorthandSouth(2010);occasionalpaperse.g.StocktakeofAgeingPublicPolicyInitiativesinIreland,NorthandSouth(2010),GovernmentStructuresinIreland,NorthandSouth(2010),GlobalAgeing(2011)andKeepingActiveforBetterAgeing(2015);andresourcedocumentse.g.10GuidelinesforWritingPolicyRecommendations(2012)andAGuidetoUserInvolvementinAgeingResearch(2014).ThejournalQualityinAgeingandOlderAdultspublishedaspecialeditionofCARDI’swork.

commissioned research ResearchprojectswerecommissionedbyCARDIinspecificgapareasincludinghowtheoriesofageingimpactonpolicy-making;increasinghealthylifeexpectancy;approachesindementiacare;lonelinessandageinginIreland,NorthandSouth.Inaddition,CARDIwasfundedbytheOFMDFMtoconductpolicy-focusedresearchonkeyareasrelatingtoageingincludingruraltransport,olderpeople’suseofonlinegovernmentinformationandservices,involvingolderpeopleinageingresearch,andwealthandinequalitiesintheolderpopulation.


Strategic partnerships Arangeofstrategicpartnerswasestablishedinthisperiod:forexample,inconjunctionwiththeCanadianInstitutesofHealthResearchInstituteofAging(CIHRIA)weestablishedaninternationalexchangepartnershipforemergingleadersinageingresearch.CARDIworkedwithAFAR’sPaulBeesonCareerDevelopmentAwardsinAgingResearchProgramtohelpbuildcapacityandsupportthedevelopmentoffutureleadersinageingresearchincludingthesponsorshipof2CARDIFellows.

CARDIsupportedQUBtoestablishNICOLA,asignificantpieceofresearchinfrastructure.Launchedin2014,thislongitudinalstudyonageinginvolves8,500peopleaged50andoverrandomlyselectedfromacrossNI.Thisstudywillprovidevaluableinformationforpolicy-makersandserviceprovidersinplanningforanageingpopulation.ItwillcomplementTILDAandthefamilyofnationalandinternationallongitudinalstudiesonageing.

CARDIinthisperiodbecameamemberoftheInternationalAssociationofGerontologyandGeriatrics’GlobalAgeingResearchNetworkandalsoanassociatememberofERA-AGE.

networking CARDIheld60+eventswithover3,500attendees.Theseincludedaninternationalconferenceonageingresearchwhichattracted400nationalandinternationaldelegatesfromacademic,governmentalandnon-governmentalorganisationsfrom20differentcountries.

EventpartnersacrosssectorsandgeographiesincludedSPARC,CentreforExcellenceinUniversalDesign,ChangingAgeingPartnership,ReminiscenceNetworkNorthernIreland(RNNI),TheIPH,NUIG,IrishRuralLink,RuralCommunityNetwork,TheAgeandEmploymentNetwork,InternationalLongevityCentreUK,KT-Equal,NISRA,QUB,OFMDFM,TCD,UniversityofLimerick(UL),UlsterUniversity(UU),LinkingGenerations,ERA-AGE,PHA(NI),BritishGeriatricsSociety,TheIrishLongitudinalStudyonAgeing(TILDA),CentreforPublicHealth,IrishNetworkforResearchinDementiaandNeurodegeneration(INRDND),AlzheimerSocietyofIrelandandAlzheimer’sSociety(UK).


GRANTS PROGRAMME

CARDI OUTPUTS

WEBSITE

OVER

users of CARDI website

370,000 E-library of over

4,000 publications

€grants projects & networks funded

9 LEADERSHIP AWARDS

9

32

PUBLICATIONS EVENTS

including research briefs, commissioned research papers, policy briefs and monthly

e-bulletins and Focus On... articles

60+ events (seminars, workshops, conferences)

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED

140 OVER

60+ EVENTS

WITH OVER 3,500 ATTENDEES


GRANTS PROGRAMME

CARDI OUTPUTS

WEBSITE

OVER

users of CARDI website

370,000 E-library of over

4,000 publications

€grants projects & networks funded

9 LEADERSHIP AWARDS

9

32

PUBLICATIONS EVENTS

including research briefs, commissioned research papers, policy briefs and monthly

e-bulletins and Focus On... articles

60+ events (seminars, workshops, conferences)

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED

140 OVER

60+ EVENTS

WITH OVER 3,500 ATTENDEES

Vision

“The island of Ireland as a place of excellence in ageing research contributing to the highest possible standard of life for our ageing population.”

Values• Relevance Promotionofresearchtoadvanceolderpeople’sneedsandrightsinIreland,NorthandSouth,andinternationally.

• Fairness Promotionofresearchthatstrengthenstherights,justiceandsocialequalityofolderpeopleacrosstheislandofIreland.

• Reliability Encouraginghighlyauthentic,robust,high-qualityandtrustworthyresearch,inperformance,interpretationandapplication.

• Independence CARDIiscommittedtoindependence,objectivity,qualityandintegrityintheresearchprocessandinthedeliveryofitswork.

• Inclusivity Userengagementandstakeholderinvolvementinformthedesign,implementationandapplicationofresearch.

• Ethical Researchcommissioningmeetsthehighestethicalstandardsandprocedures.

CARDI’s Vision & Values


CARDI’s Work


From its foundation a crucial part of CARDI’s remit was to help build capacity within the ageing research community in Ireland, North and South. It achieved this through a variety of activities which included providing funding and training opportunities for early career researchers and providing opportunities for researchers to network and learn from national and international colleagues engaged in research on ageing. This section looks at some of the core activities focused on building expertise among researchers across the island of Ireland.

LeadershipProgramme

Section 1 Building capacity

Pictured CARDI Fellows with CARDI Co-Chairs (l-r): Joanne Feeney, Charlotte Neville, Professor Bob Stout, Mark O’Doherty, Professor Davis Coakley, Joanna McHugh, Aisling O ‘Halloran.

In2013CARDIlaunchedapioneeringLeadershipProgrammeinAgeingResearch.Itspurposewastosupportanewgenerationofageingresearchers.Ithassupportedninepostdoctoralfellowstocarryouthigh-qualityresearchintoaspectsofageingandundertaketrainingtodeveloptheirskillsandknowledge.TheFellowsareconductingresearchonarangeofissuesincludingfrailtyandageing;dietanddementia;socialisolationandcognitivedecline;functionaldecline;fallsanddiabetes;andcommunication.

The programme is overseen by an international Scientific Advisory panel consisting of:• ProfessorAnneMartin-Matthews(Chair)-UniversityofBritishColumbia,Canada• ProfessorWilliamRHazzard-JPaulStichtCenteronAging,USA• ProfessorCarolJagger-InstituteforAgeingandHealth,NewcastleUniversity,UK• DrGiovanniLamura-NationalInstituteofHealth&ScienceonAgeing,Italy

TheCARDILeadershipProgrammeinAgeingResearchissupportedbytheHSCR&DPHANI,TheAtlanticPhilanthropiesandAFAR’sPaulBeesonCareerDevelopmentAwardsinAgingResearchProgramfortheislandofIreland.


InternationalnetworksandconnectionsSince2007CARDIhasbeenforginginternationalnetworksandconnectionswiththeaimofraisingtheprofileofageingresearchbeingcarriedoutinIreland,NorthandSouth,andprovidingopportunitiesforresearcherstolearnfrominternationalcolleagues.

In2011CARDIandCIHRIAestablishedanexchangeprogrammefocusedonbuildingcapacityamongageingresearchers.CARDIhashostedanumberofinternationaltrainingexchangesinwhichresearchersfromIreland,NorthandSouth,andinternationalresearchershaveparticipated.Theseexchangeshaveofferedsignificantcapacity-buildingandnetworkingopportunitiesfortheearlycareerresearchers.

canadian Summer program in Aging 2012InMay2012CARDIinassociationwithCIHRIAsupportedfiveresearcherstoattendtheCanadianSummerPrograminAgingatSimonFraserUniversity.Theprogrammefocusedonthethemeoftechnologyandageing.

Pictured: Delegates from Ireland who attended the Canadian Summer Program in Aging 2012 along with Professor Yves Joanette and Joanne Goldberg CIHR IA

Future leaders in Ageing research meetingIn2012CARDIinassociationwithERA-AGEandICSGhosteda3daysummerschoolatNUIG.TheSummerSchoolsbroughttogetherFLAREFellows(pastandpresent)andotherpostdoctoralresearchersfromERA-AGEpartnercountriesinthreedaysoflectures,discussiongroups,networkingandsocialevents.


Pictured (l-r): Professor Davis Coakley CARDI, Dr Stacy Tessler Lindau University of Chicago, His Excellency Loyola Hearn Canadian Ambassador Ireland and Professor Rose Anne Kenny TCD.

cArdi international Training programme on Ageing

InSeptember2013CARDIhostedaninternationaltrainingprogrammeonageingatTCD.Thethree-daycourse,organisedinconjunctionwithCIHRIAandTILDA,wasattendedbyparticipantsfromIreland,NorthandSouth,Canada,AustraliaandtheUK.TheattendeeswereaddressedbyleadersintheageingresearchfieldincludingProfessorRoseAnneKennyTCD,ProfessorSusanKirklandDalhousieUniversity,ProfessorPaddyHillyardQUBandProfessorVirpiTimonenTCD.

Beeson Annual Training meetingIn2014and2015,CARDIworkinginpartnershipwithAFARsupportedCARDIFellowstoattendtheannualBeeson4daytrainingmeetingintheUSA.ThismeetingprovidedtheFellowswithanopportunitytolearnfrominternationalcolleaguesengagedinageingresearchinavarietyofdisciplines.

canadian Summer program in Aging 2015In2015CARDIandCIHRIAcontinuedtheirpartnershipbyofferinganopportunityforPhDandpostdoctoralresearcherstoattendtheCanadianSummerPrograminAginginTorontowhichfocusedonthethemeoftheolderworker.

Support capacity building in dementia research InSeptember2015CARDI,inassociationwithINRDND,AlzheimerSocietyofIreland,Alzheimer’sSociety(UK),AlzheimerSocietyofCanadaandCIHRIAhostedathreedayInternationalTrainingProgrammeonAgeingatTCD.ItfocusedonthethemeofDementiaandMemoryImpairmentandwasaimedatPhD,postdoctoralstudentsandearlycareerresearchers.


ethics TrainingIn2012CARDIheldatrainingeventonthethemeofethics.Thetraining,aimedatresearchersanddeliveredbyDrRonIphofen,exploredtheethicalissuesinvolvedincarryingoutageingresearchincludingtheprocessesinvolvedinattainingacademicethicalapprovalforprojectsdirectlyinvolvingolderpeoplethemselvesinresearch.

understanding ageing and attitudes towards older peopleCARDIdesignedandhostedspecialtrainingdaysonunderstandingandaccessingageingresearch.Forexamplein2014itdeliveredtrainingtothestaffoftheCommissionerforOlderPeopleinNI.

1Building Stronger User Engagement in Age Research – A Guide to User Involvement in Ageing Research

A GUIDE TO USER INVOLVEMENT IN AGEING RESEARCH

cardi-execsummary-UserEngage-draft4.indd 1 12/03/2014 15:03

user engagementInMarchandMay2014CARDIhostedtwoworkshops(BelfastandDublin)onthetheme:‘Whyandhowtogetinvolvedinageingresearch’.Theeventsaimedatthevoluntaryandcommunitysectorfocusedonopportunitiestoengageolderpeopleandcharitiesinageingresearchandissuessurroundinguserengagementinresearch.

Pictured (l-r): Professor Maurice Mulvenna UU, Audrey Lockhart RNNI, Professor Davis Coakley CARDI, Professor Faith Gibson RNNI and Professor Bob Woods Bangor University.

TrainingeventsTrainingandbuildingcapacityintheageingsectorhasbeenacentralpartofCARDI’swork.CARDIhashostedanumberoftrainingeventsforresearchersandthevoluntaryandcommunitysector.Thefollowingisaselectionoftheeventsheld:

reminiscence workshop and showcase event - 2010CARDIandtheRNNIheldanall-IrelandworkshopinFebruary2010entitled:YourMemoriesMatter-ShowcasingReminiscenceResearch.Researchersinterestedinreminiscencehadanopportunitytolearnabouteachother’swork,furtherdeveloptheirresearchideasandidentifypossiblepartnersforfuturecollaboration.


When CARDI was established it was apparent that although ageing research was being carried out in a variety of disciplines in academic institutions there was little collaboration between researchers. Through its grants programme and events CARDI sought to bridge the gaps between researchers and institutions. Part of this work included funding collaborative research projects and networks that brought together researchers from different institutions and disciplines. CARDI’s events and seminars have also offered important opportunities for researchers to network and become aware of ageing research work being carried out across the island of Ireland. This section gives an overview of CARDI’s grants-making activities as well as offering a brief selection of the many events and seminars it has hosted.

CARDIGrantsProgrammeIn2009CARDIlaunchedthefirstall-Irelandageingresearchgrantsprogramme.Thegrantsprogrammeofferedfundingtoresearcherstocarryoutcross-border,interdisciplinaryandcross-sectorresearchintoageingissues.ItranthreefurtherfundingcallsunderthisprogrammeuntilOctober2010.Thegrantscallsattractedapplicationsfromresearchersacrossarangeofdisciplinesfrombiomedicaltosocialscienceallofwhomwerecommittedtoprojectswhichexaminedissuesrelatingtoageing.

CARDIawardedfundingto32researchprojectsandnetworksthroughitsgrantsanddataminingprogrammes.

Thefundedprojectsandnetworksfellundersixmainthemes:• HealthandIllness• Dementia• PhysicalActivity• IncomeandInequalities• CareSystems• SocialInclusion

Subjectsresearchedunderhealthandillnessincludedinappropriateprescribinginlong-termcarefacilities,prescribingattheendoflife,agevariablesinaccesstotreatmentforprostatecancer,heartdiseaseanddisability,multimorbidity,cognitivehealthanddisadvantage,frailtyanddisability,andinequalitiesinhealthbehaviours.

Underthethemeofdementiaprojectsincludedendoflifecarestandardsforpeoplewithdementia,theroleofdietandcognitivehealth.

Physicalactivity-themedresearchincludedfallsanduseofvideogames;pain,physicalactivityanddepression;andphysicalactivity,ageingandhealth.

Underthethemeofincomeandinequalitiesresearchersundertookprojectssuchasinequalitiesinincomeamongolderpeople,impactoftherecessiononolderpeople,fuelpovertyandwomen’saccesstopensions.

Care-themedresearchprojectsfocusedontelecare,apredictivemodeloflong-termcareandolderpeople’sattitudestowardselderabuse.

Section 2 Supporting collaboration and cooperation


Underthesocialinclusionthemeresearchwascompletedonruralageing,socialexclusion,ruraltransportanduniversaldesign.

Inadditiontofunding,CARDIfacilitatedthecommunicationanddisseminationofresearchfindingssotheevidencegatheredcouldbetargetedatrelevantpolicy-makersandserviceproviders.Researchbriefswereproducedandeventsandseminarsarrangedtocommunicateresearchfindingsandincreasetheirimpact.

NorthernIrelandCohortfortheLongitudinalStudyofAgeingCARDIwasinstrumentalinsupportingthedevelopmentoftheQUB-ledNICOLAproject.LaunchedinFebruary2014itinvolves8,500peopleaged50andoverwhowillberandomlyselectedfromacrossNItotakepartinthisstudy.

NICOLAwillcollectinformationonhealthandsocialcareutilisation,healthbehaviours,medication,mental,physicalandcognitivehealth,employment,finances,retirement,socialconnectedness,socialparticipation,drivingandtravel,housing,consumptionandexpectations.Ithasaspecialfocusonintergenerationalpoverty,transitionpointsinageingandtheeffectsofdietontheagingprocess.ThestudywillalsoincludequestionsofspecificrelevancetoNI.

NICOLAwillprovidevaluableinformationforpolicy-makersandserviceprovidersinplanningforanageingpopulation.ItwillcomplementTILDAandthefamilyofnationalandinternationallongitudinalstudiesonageing.

EventsandSeminarsSince2007CARDIhashostedover60eventsattracting3,500+attendees.Theseincludedresearchlaunches,themedseminarsandaninternationalconferenceonageingwhichattracted400nationalandinternationaldelegates.ThissectionprovidesanoverviewofaselectionofCARDI’sevents2008-2015.

2008

cArdi launchesAttwolauncheventsinDublinandBelfast,leadersfromtheageingsector,academiaandpolicy-makersjoinedtohearCARDI’svisionwhereageingresearchcouldplayacentralroleininformingevidence-basedpolicytohelpimprovethelivesofolderpeopleacrosstheislandofIreland.

launch at StormontPictured (l-r): Máire Hoctor Minister of State for Older People DOHC (ROI), Dr Roger O’Sullivan CARDI and Dr Jane Wilde IPH.


launch at Farmleigh

Showcasing Ageing researchInJune2008CARDIandSPARCjoinedforcestohostaneventinBelfast.Theeventattractedover90delegateswhoheardpresentationsfromleadingresearchersfromQUB,UU,TCD,UniversityCollegeLondon,DundalkInstituteofTechnology(DKIT),LoughboroughUniversityandtheUniversityofSterling.InDecember2008afurthereventwasheldinCrokeParkwithSPARCandtheCentreforExcellenceinUniversalDesignwhichincludedpresentationsbyresearchersfromNUIG,DKIT,QUB,UU,TCDandMiddlesexUniversity.

A Statistical profile on Ageing in ireland Thisseminar,heldinNewry,broughttogetherstatisticiansfromIreland,NorthandSouth,tosharethefindingsfromaforthcomingquantitativecomparativepublicationbyCARDIonageingusingofficialdata.Discussionfocusedonmethodologicalchallengesinbringingforwardcomparativeresearch.

2009

Building relationships and making linkages between research and policy CARDIhostedthefirstcross-bordermeetingofpolicy-makersworkingonolderpeople’sissuesandageingin2009.Thisinvolvedanopportunityforpolicy-makersandresearcherstoexchangepolicylearning.AttendeesincludedROIrepresentativesfromtheDepartmentsoftheTaoiseach,JusticeandEquality,Education,Arts,EnterpriseandRuralAffairsaswellasstafffromtheOfficeofOlderPeopleintheDOHC(ROI)andNIrepresentativesfromOFMDFM,PHAandNISRA.LeadingresearchersfromQUB,TCD,UL,UU,UniversityCollegeDublin(UCD),NUIGandtheRoyalCollegeofSurgeonsinIreland(RCSI)werealsoinattendance.

Pictured (l-r): Dr Ken Logue The Atlantic Philanthropies, Anne O’Reilly Age Concern NI and Professor Bob Stout CARDI.

Professor Peter Lansley University of Reading


Professor Paddy Hillyard

Pictured (l-r): Dr Roger O’Sullivan CARDI, Professor Noah Keating University of Alberta, Mr Michael Hughes Rural Community Network and Seamus Boland Irish Rural Link.

2010

The impact of the recession on older people

ProfessorPaddyHillyardpresentedfindingsfromCARDI-fundedresearchonhowtherecessionhadimpactedonolderpeopleataneventatCrokeParkDublin.Theseminarexploredthedifferencesinincomesamongtheolderpopulationandhowtherecessionhadimpactedondifferentsectionsofthepopulation.Theeventhighlightedtheimportanceofprotectingthemostvulnerableolderpeopleinsocietyamidstbudgetaryconstraintsatnationallevels.

InDecember2010CARDIhosteda2dayeventonruralageingandtherecessioninconjunctionwiththeICSG,IrishRuralLinkandtheRuralCommunityNetworkNIatNUIG.Theseminarfeaturedcontributionsfrominternationalandnationalexpertsinthefieldsofageingresearchandruralpolicy.ItalsoshowcasedfindingsfromtwoCARDIfundedresearchprojectsrelatingtoageinginaruralcontext:ruralageingandsocialisolationledbyDrKieranWalshNUIGandruraltransportledbyDrAoifeAhernUCD.

An age old problem - where now for rural services?


Professor Paddy Hillyard

2011

lost in Translation - How to communicate most effectively with non-academicsKT-EqualandCARDIjointlyhostedatrainingdayforresearchersfocusedoncommunicationinJune2011.Theprogrammeincludedtrainingoncommunicatingresearchtopolicy-makersandmedia,engagingwitholderpeopleandhowtoavoidkeymessagesgettinglostintranslationwhendiscussingageingissues.

international conference: Ageing globally - Ageing locallySirMichaelMarmotwasthekeynotespeakeratCARDI’sInternationalConferenceonAgeingheldinDublininNovember2011.Thethemeofthe2-dayconferencewasAgeingGlobally-AgeingLocallyanditwasopenedbyPresidentofIrelandMaryMcAleese.FeaturingahostofinternationalexpertsaswellasleadingresearchersandprofessionalsfromtheageingsectorintheislandofIrelanditwasattendedby400nationalandinternationaldelegatesfrom20differentcountriesand50differentuniversities.

Pictured (l-r): Professor Rose Anne Kenny TCD, President of Ireland Mary McAleese, Professor Anne Martin-Matthews University of British Columbia and Dr Roger O’Sullivan CARDI.

Mary McAleese opens CARDI’s international conference

Pictured (l-r): James McEldowney OFMDFM, Professor Gail Mountain KT-Equal and University of Sheffield, Dr Roger O’Sullivan CARDI and Professor Trevor Cox University of Salford.


2012

end of life prescribing

Pictured (l-r): Ms Grainne McGettrick The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Dr Shaun O’Keefe University Hospital Galway and Professor Carmel Hughes Queen’s University Belfast.

InJuly2012CARDIlaunchedall-Irelandresearchwhichfoundconsiderableuncertaintyandvariationinthemedicinesdoctorswouldprescribeforpatientswithdementiaattheendoflifewhenpresentedwithclinicalscenarios.TheresearchfoundevidencethatGPsandhospitalphysiciansindicatedtheywouldcontinuewithdementiamedicationsandstatins,andprescribeantibioticswhenthereislimitedevidenceofbenefitstopatientswithdementiaatendoflife.

Professor Cathy Craig QUB demonstrates use of Wii games to improve balance

InOctober2012CARDIlaunchedresearchfindingswhichshowedhowspeciallydesignedcomputergamescouldhelppreventfallsinolderpeople.ProfessorCathyCraigQUBdemonstratedhowusingvideogamescanhelpimprovethebalanceofolderpeopleandhelptopreventfallswhicharealeadingcauseofdeathandseriousinjuryfortheover60s.

A wii bit of fun can help prevent falls


Pictured (l-r): Dr Roger O’Sullivan Professor Bob Stout CARDI, Professor Irene Hardill University of Northumbria, Bill McCluggage Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (ROI) and Healy King of the Workers’ Educational Association (NI).

InOctober2013CARDIlaunchedareportentitled“E-governmentandolderpeopleinIreland,NorthandSouth”.ThereportauthoredbyProfessorIreneHardillandcommissionedbyOFMDFMfoundthatwhilethenumbersofolderpeoplewithaccesstoandusingtheinternetareincreasingthesenumbersremainlowincomparisontootheragegroups.

2013

online government 2013

2014

Housing for an ageing population

Pictured (l-r): Owen Metcalfe IPH, Claire Keatinge Commissioner for Older People for NI, Professor Anthea Tinker King’s College London and David Silke Housing Agency (ROI).

Choice,fairnessandtenurewerethreekeythemesrelatedtohousingthatemergedfromaCARDIseminar,“Housingforanageingpopulation”thattookplaceinBelfastinFebruary2014.ProfessorAntheaTinkerofKing’sCollegeLondongavethekeynoteaddress.


Pictured (l-r): Duane Farrell Age NI, Robin Webster Age Action, Evelyn Collins CBE Equality Commission (NI), Paul McGill CARDI and Professor Paddy Hillyard.

wealth and inequalities

InJune2014,CARDIlaunchedthefindingsfromtworesearchprojectsonthethemesofwealthandinequalitiesamongolderpeopleinIreland,NorthandSouth.Theprojectsexamineddifferencesinwealthbetweengenerationsaswellasconsideringthesocio-economicinequalitieswithintheolderpopulationacrosstheislandofIreland.SpeakersattheeventincludedCARDI’sPaulMcGill,ProfessorPaddyHillyard,EvelynCollinsCBEEqualityCommission(NI)andRobinWebsterAgeActionIreland.

Pictured (l-r): Dr Roger O’Sullivan CARDI, Dr Cate Hartigan Health Service Executive, Professor Ken Fox University of Bristol and Dr Mark Tully QUB.

InSeptember2014CARDIhosted‘Keepingactiveforbetterageing’,aseminarthatdiscussedthebenefitsforolderpeopleandthereasonswhyolderpeopleasagroupdonothavehigherlevelsofphysicalactivity.Thehealthexpertsgatheredheardthebenefitsofphysicalactivityforolderpeopleandspeakersexploredpoliciesandpracticesthatcanhelppromoteitinolderpeople.

physical Activity 2014


Future directions and collective Strengths in dementia researchCARDIinassociationwithINRDND,theAlzheimerSocietyofIrelandandAlzheimer’sSocietyNIhostedanetworkingandinformationsharingeventondementiaresearchacrosstheislandofIrelandinDecember2014inDublin.Thiseventbroughttogetherleadingresearchers,voluntarygroups,policy-makersandfundersofdementiaresearchtodiscussthecurrentstateofdementiaresearchandfuturedirectionsforresearchersandfunders.

InMarch2015CARDIlaunchedresearchfindingsontheratesandimpactsofheartdiseaseamongolderpeopleinIreland,NorthandSouth.ThestudywasledbyProfessorFrankKee,DirectoroftheCentreofExcellenceforPublicHealth(NI)QUB.UsingdatafromtheNIHealthSurveyandTILDAitwasfoundthatolderpeopleinNorthernIrelandweremorelikelytosufferfromcoronaryheartdiseasethanthoseintheRepublicofIreland.

Pictured (l-r): Dr Kate Irving DCU and Professor Brian Lawlor TCD

Pictured (l-r): Professor Frank Kee and Dr Sharon Cruise QUB

2015


Communicating research has been a central element of CARDI’s work since its establishment. Effective communication means that research can have a greater impact by bringing it to new audiences and to the attention of those engaged in policy and planning for the ageing population. CARDI’s communication work includes using a variety of media including reaching out to traditional media and paving new pathways for research communication online. This work involved the careful translation of research reports to make them user-friendly and distill key messages, as well as using offline and online media tools to disseminate research findings, start and inform public debate and reach new audiences. This section provides a brief overview of CARDI’s communications activities including publications, website and media work.

KeypublicationsCARDIhasproduced140publicationsofdifferentformatsincludingresearchbriefs,monthlye-bulletinsandtwoeditionsofanall-islanddirectoryofageingresearch.OtherpublicationsincludeastatisticaloverviewofageingIllustratingAgeinginIreland,NorthandSouth(2010);occasionalpaperse.g.StocktakeofAgeingPublicPolicyInitiativesinIreland,NorthandSouth(2010),GovernmentStructuresinIreland,NorthandSouth(2010),GlobalAgeing(2011),InnovationinPolicy:InsightsforAgeing(2013),UnderstandingSocio-EconomicInequalitiesAffectingOlderPeople(2014)andKeepingActiveforBetterAgeing(2015);andresourcedocumentse.g.10GuidelinesforWritingPolicyRecommendations(2012).In2012thejournalQualityinAgeingandOlderAdultspublishedaspecialeditionfeaturingCARDI’swork.Thissectionprovidesaselectionofthesepublications.

Section 3 Communicating ageing research

illustrating ageing in ireland, north and South: key facts and figures ThereportIllustrating ageing in Ireland, North and South waslaunchedinJanuary2010.ItdrewtogetherkeyfactsandfiguresfromdatasourcesinNorthernIrelandandtheROItopresentapictureofthescopeandscaleoftheageingpopulationacrosstheisland.


Theories of Ageing november 2010CARDIcommissionedProfessorVirpiTimonenandDrMariaPierceTCDtoundertakeresearchexploringthevarioustheoriesaboutageingandhowtheyimpactonpolicy-making.ThereportwaspublishedinNovember2010.

InNovember2010CARDIpublishedA Picture of Ageing Research in Ireland, North and South.ThisportfolioprovidedanoverviewofthewiderangeofageingresearchbeingcarriedoutbyacademicsacrosstheislandofIreland.Itillustratedthegrowingcommunityofresearchersacrossawiderangeofdisciplinesengagedinageingissues.ItwaslaunchedbyCARDI’sCo-ChairsProfessorsBobStoutandDavisCoakleyatareceptioninTCD.

A picture of Ageing november 2010

Pictured (l-r): Dr Roger O’Sullivan CARDI, Dr Maria Pierce TCD and Professor Davis Coakley CARDI.

Josie Sheehan poses for a launch picture


global Ageing: An overview november 2011ThisoccasionalresearchpaperwaspreparedforCARDI’sinternationalconferenceonageingin2011.Itexaminesglobaltrendsinageingincludingdemographics,healthandsocialcarespendingtrends,andpolicy-makingrelatingtoageinginseveraldifferentcountries.

10 guidelines for writing policy recommendations April 2012Gettingarecommendationacceptedbypolicy-makersdependsonmanyfactorsbutarecommendationwhichisbasedonstrongevidence,iscosteffectivetoimplementandtakesaccountofinternationalbestpracticehasabetterchanceofbeingacceptedandinfluencingpolicydebates.WiththisinmindCARDIpreparedasetofguidelinesforacademicsandotherresearchersforwritingpolicyrecommendationsbasedonresearch.

extra healthy years or just extra years? march 2013Aslifeexpectancycontinuestorise,theprevalenceofchronicconditionsisincreasinginoursociety.However,wedonotknowiftheextrayearsoflifegainedarebeingspentwithdisabilityandillnessoringoodhealth.ThisreportcommissionedbyCARDIandcarriedoutbyresearchersatTheIPHandHRBstudiedpatternsofhealthexpectanciesacrosstheislandofIreland,examininganyNorth-Southandsocio-economicdifferencesaswellaslookingatdifferencesindatasources.


Keeping active for better ageingInApril2015CARDIlaunchedareportKeepingActiveforBetterAgeingwhichexaminedthefactorsthatencouragemorephysicalactivityinolderadultswithaparticularfocusonpotentialpolicyandpracticeinterventions.

A picture of Ageing december 2014 (updated)

The2014editionofA Picture of Ageing Research in Ireland, North and South waslaunchedinDecember2014.Thiseditionupdatedthe2010publicationillustratingthegrowingstrengthandbreadthofageingresearchbeingcarriedoutacrosstheislandofIreland.

Dr Suzanne Cahill TCD and Dementia Services Information and Development Centre


CARDI’swebsitewasestablishedtoprovideavastarrayofresearchandpolicyresourcesonageing.Itwasanup-to-dateportalforallthelatestnews,eventsandfundingnewswithamixtureofnationalandinternationalcontent.CARDIregularlypublisheditsowncontentonthesiteincludingmonthlyE-Bulletins,FocusOnarticles,blogs,resourceguidesandopinionpieces.Thesitehousesane-libraryofover4,000publications.Researcherswereabletoregisteronthesitetoupdatetheirresearchprofilesandsearchforotherresearchersinrelevantfields.Sincethesitewasestablishedithashadover1.2mvisitors.ThesitewascomplementedbyCARDI’sactivesocialmedianetworksincludingLinkedIn,FacebookandTwitter.

Agestats.ieCARDIcreatedAgeStats.ietosupportanyoneundertakingresearchonageingandolderpeopleinIreland,NorthandSouth.ThewebsiteprovidesanoverviewofselecteddatasetsonageinginNIandROI.

Whileaimedprimarilyatresearchersandstatisticians,www.agestats.ieisaneasytousetoolthatpolicy-makers,peopleinthevoluntaryandcommunitysector,journalistsandotherscanusequicklytofinddatasetsandindividualstatisticsonageingtopics.ItdoesnotrequireanybackgroundortraininginresearchandcanprovideeasycomparisonsbetweenNIandROIonissuesrelatedtoageingandolderpeople.

CARDIupdatedthesitein2014bringingthetotalnumberofsearchablesurveysto50.

Agestats.ienowincludes50surveyscovering:

• 9themes• 190sub-themes(comparedwith187inNov2012)

• 1,659measuresintotal• 7,427individualdatapointsidentifiedacross50surveys

CARDIwebsites


mediA coVerAge


CARDI Steering Group 2007-2015


professor davis coakleyCo-ChairofCARDI

professor Bob StoutCo-ChairofCARDI

gabrielle Jacob (2007-2009)NationalCouncilonAgeingandOlderPeople

owen metcalfeInstituteofPublicHealth

dr denis o’mahony (2007-2012)CorkUniversityHospital

Anne o’reilly (2007-2013)AgeNI

professor eamon o’SheaIrishCentreforSocialGerontology

robin websterAgeActionIreland

CARDI Steering Group 2007-2015


CARDI Staff 2007-2015


dr roger o’Sullivan Director

conor Breen PolicyOfficer–ResearchTranslation

nicola donnelly CommunicationsOfficer

Janet elliott AdministrationOfficer

paul mcgill StrategicResearchOfficer

elaine cartmill Administration&FinanceOfficer(2008–2012)

Judith cross PolicyOfficer(2008–2009)

Kate morris CommunicationsOfficer(2008–2009)

CARDI Staff 2007-2015


Appendices


1. CARDI funded research

Inequalities in Old age: the Impact of the Recession on Older People in Ireland, north and SouthResearchInstitution(s):QUB,UCD

Inequalities in old age 2011, north and SouthResearchInstitution:QUB

Theseresearchprojects,bothledbyEmeritusProfessorPaddyHillyardQUB,examinedthelivingstandardsandimpactofeconomicdeclineonolderpeople.Inthefirststudytheresearchteamidentifiedsomeofthespecificfactorsthatputpensionersatriskofpovertyandsomeoftheinequalitiesbetweengroupswithintheolderpopulationincludingsignificantdifferencesinpensionincomeandprovision.Itstressedtherisksfacedbyolderwomenwhotraditionallyhadreceivedmuchsmallerpensionsandbythoseexistingsolelyonthestate-providedpension.Throughfocusgroupsthestudyalsohighlightedtheworriesandanxietiesaboutthefutureexperiencedbyolderpeopleinthelightofbudgetaryconstraints.

Thefollowupstudy,conductedbyProfessorHillyardandDrDemiPatsiosUniversityofBristoluseddatafrombeforeandduringtherecessiontoshowthatpensionersarebeingaffectedbycuts,particularlyintheabilitytokeeptheirhouseswarmandtodiscretionaryspendingonitemssuchasannualholidays.ItfoundthatwhilesinglepensionersinNIremainworstoff,livingstandardsforcouplesinNIandROIhaveworsenedduetotherecession.

transport and Rural ageingResearchInstitution(s):UCD,UU,AgeActionIreland

ThisqualitativestudyledbyDrAoifeAhernUCDexploredolderpeople’stravelexperiencesinruralareasinROIandNI.Itfoundthatruraltransportservicesatpresentdonotprovideforanadequatealternativetothecarforolderpeople.Thiscanleadtoruralisolationandaninabilitytoengageinanactivesociallifeaswellasmakinghealthappointmentsdifficulttoattend.

Theresearchersstressedtheneedforinnovativeandcost-effectivewaysofprovidingaccessibletransporttoolderpeopleinsparselypopulatedruralareasasameansofreducingtherisksofisolationandimprovingthequalityofruralageing.

end-of-life care standards for people with dementiaResearchInstitution(s):DementiaServiceInformationandDevelopmentCentre,TCD,UU

ThisresearchprojectledbyDrSuzanneCahillTCDsoughttoidentifykeyissuesinend-of-lifecareforpeoplewithdementiaandtoproduceasetofguidelinesforend-of-lifecareforresidentswithdementiaincarehomesinIreland,NorthandSouth.Theauthorsarguedthatasetofguidelinestoassistnursinghomesindevelopingpoliciesandpracticesinend-of-lifecareforresidentswithdementiamayprovideausefulbasisforcomparisonwithinternationalbestpractice.


Universal design for older peopleResearchInstitution(s):TCD,QUB,CentreforExcellenceinUniversalDesign

ThisresearchnetworkledbyProfessorMarkDyerTCDwasestablishedtopromotetheconceptsofuniversaldesignforolderpeopletokeystakeholderssuchascityandcountycouncils.Thenetworkorganisedaseriesofworkshopsandseminarstodiscussuniversaldesignasitappliestoolderpeopleandhowenvironments,particularlylivingspaces,canbemademoreaccessibletothem.Thenetworkfoundthatworkshopsonuniversaldesigncanpromotecollaborationinthedesignprocess,ensuringthattheprinciplesareunderstoodandincorporatedbyarchitects,designers,plannersandotherstakeholders.

Inappropriate prescribing of medicines – Implications for older people and health budgetsResearchInstitution(s):UCC,UU,QUB.

ThisresearchprojectledbyDrStephenByrneUCCinvestigatedinappropriateprescribinginlong-stayelderlyfacilitiesinGreaterCorkandNI.TheresearchfoundthatinnursinghomesinROI,73%ofresidentswerereceivingatleastonepotentiallyinappropriatemedicine.InNI67%ofthoseinthesamplewerereceivingapotentiallyinappropriatemedicine.Overall,nearlyonefifth(19%)ofthesamplewerereceivingthreeormorepotentiallyinappropriatemedicines.

ageing and Intellectual DisabilityResearchInstitution(s):UU,TCD

Thereareover3,100olderpeoplewithintellectualdisabilitiesinROIandnearly2,000inNI.AmajorbreakthroughinresearchonthisgrouphascomeaboutinrecentyearswiththeintellectualdisabilitysupplementTILDA.ThisfeasibilitystudyledbyProfessorRoyMcConkeyUUexaminedthepossibleextensionofthissupplementtoNI.ItconcludedthatextendingtheintellectualdisabilitystudytoNIwouldbeofgreatvaluealthoughadaptationsfromtheTILDAsamplingstrategywouldberequiredtoincreaserecruitmentratesinNI.

Insights into elder abuseResearchInstitution(s):AgeActionIreland,TCD,UU

ThisstudyledbyDrEmerBegleyAgeActionIrelandexaminedhowelderabuseisdefinedandobtainedtheviewsofolderpeopleonelderabuse,andtheservicesandsupportavailabletovictims.Theprojectrevealedalinkbetweenolderpeople’sstatusandvaluetosociety,personhoodandabuseinexaminingolderpeople’sperceptionsofelderabuse.Italsofoundthatservicesandsupportsforelderabuseshouldbeempoweringintheirapproachandseektheviewsandopinionsofolderpeople.


the role of telecare in supporting carers of older peopleResearchInstitution(s):CaringforCarersIreland,UU

ThisresearchnetworkledbyBrigidBarronofCaringforCarersIrelandassessedtheimpactoftelecareoncarersofolderpeopleintermsofreducingstressandincreasingqualityoflife.Itfoundthatwhileresearchshowssomebenefitsforolderpeopleandtheircarersmoreevidenceisneededtohelpbuildbetterstrategiesaroundtheuseoftelecareforolderpeopleinthehome.

multimorbidity in the older populationResearchInstitution:TCD

ThisresearchledbyDrGeorgeSavvaTCDfoundthatolderpeoplesufferingfromtwoormorechronicconditionswere20timesmorelikelytoreportdisabilitythanthosewithnone.Thestudyurgedmoreresearchintheareaofmultiplechronicconditionsandarguedthattacklingthemeffectivelyacrossthelifecoursemaybevitalinensuringthatlongerlivesarealsohealthier.

Physical activity and core depressive symptoms in the older Irish adult populationResearchInstitution:RCSI

ThisresearchledbyDrKarenMorganRCSIexaminedthelinkbetweenanactivelifestyleanddepressivemoodsinordertoexaminehowthephysicalandmentalhealthofolderpeoplecanbeimprovedthroughchangesinpublichealthandotherservices.Thestudyfoundthatpeopleover50yearsofagewhoareengagedinmoderatetohighlevelsofphysicalactivityhavea50%reductionintheoddsofhavingdepressivesymptoms.

Using aerobic exercise to promote brain plasticity ResearchInstitution(s):QUB,UCD,TCD

Promotingwaystoincreasebrainplasticityinolderpeoplehasthepotentialtoincreasehealthylifeexpectancyandimprovethequalityoflifeofolderpeople.Thissmall-scalestudyledbyProfessorRichardCarsonQUBfoundthatolderpeopleexhibitchangesinplasticityinresponsetobrainstimulationsimilarincharactertothoseshownbyyoungadults.Thestudystressedtheneedformoreresearchinthisareatoinvestigatethepotentialbenefitstoolderpeople.

Dance for older peopleResearchInstitution(s):UL,QUB

ThisnetworkledbyDrSylviaO’SullivanULincludedaseriesofseminarsinvolvingolderpeopleinLimerickandBelfastinpromotingboththeworkofthenetworkandthebenefitsofdanceforolderpeople.Thesebenefitsincludedphysicalexercisebutalsosocialbenefitsintermsofparticipatingincommunityactivities.Thenetworkhighlightedthebenefitsofdanceintermsoffallspreventionandalsothebenefitsofpatternrecognitionindanceforhelpingdementiasufferers.


Understanding fuel poverty in the older population, north and SouthResearchInstitution(s):DIT,InstituteofPublicHealth,UU

ThisresearchprojectledbyProfessorPatrickGoodmanDITfeaturedareviewofnationalfuelpovertystatisticsrelatingtoolderpeopleaswellasananalysisofexcesswinterdeathsamongolderpeopleinbothNIandROI.ItfoundthattheriskoffuelpovertyisconcentratedamongolderpeoplelivingaloneacrosstheislandofIreland.Italsofoundthatolderpeopletendedtoliveinhouseswhichwerenotenergyefficientandlackedeitheradequateinsulationorcentralheating.Theresearchersarguedthatinordertotacklethisissuestandardsofhousingandinsulationmustbeimprovedinadditiontoprovidingsufficientfuelsubsidiesforolderpeople.

mortality modellingResearchInstitution:QUB

DrDeclanFrenchQUBexaminedthefactorsdrivingthefutureofmortalityinIreland,NorthandSouth.Thestudyaimedtocontributetoprovidingrealisticpredictionsforthefuture.Inthiswayitcouldpromoteunderstandingofthefactorsthatcontributedirectlytolongerandhealthierlives.

age, Income & Food in IrelandResearchInstitution:UCC

ResearchledbyEleanorBantry-WhiteUCCexaminedthedemographicandsocio-economicinfluencesonfoodexpenditureintheolderpopulationsinNIandROI.Itfoundthatdietinolderpeoplewaslinkedtosocio-economicfactorsandthatimprovingnutritionlevelsrequiredamulti-facetedpolicyapproachincludingpovertyalleviationandeducation.

encouraging behaviour change in mild cognitive impairment patients ResearchInstitution(s):QUB,TCD

ThisprojectledbyDrJayneWoodsideQUBusedfocusgroupswithmildcognitiveimpairmentpatientsandtheircare-giversaswellasstructuredinterviewswithprofessionalstodesignandtesteducationalmaterialsthatcanencouragechangesindietandphysicalactivity.

healthy ageing in rural communitiesResearchInstitution(s):NUIG,QUB

InabidtounderstandifageinginruralcommunitiesincreasesordecreasesthepotentialforexclusioninlaterlifeCARDIfirstfundedaresearchnetworkHealthyAgeinginRuralCommunities ledbyDrKieranWalshNUIG.

ThisnetworkincludedresearchersandrepresentativesfromruralcommunityorganisationsinROIandNI.Thenetworkconductedcommunityfocusgroupswhichrevealedtheviewsandconcernsofolderpeopleaboutgrowingoldinruralcommunities.Ithighlightedissueswithsocialandhealthserviceprovisionsandthesenseofcommunityenjoyedbymanyolderruraldwellers.


Social exclusion and ageing in rural communitiesResearchInstitution(s):NUIG,QUB

Thenetwork’sworklaidthegroundworkforafurtherresearchprojectledbyProfessorEamonO’SheaNUIGwhichexploredhowageandrurallivingcombineoverthecourseofpeople’slivestohaveanimpactonthelikelihoodofsocialexclusion.Theresearchersdevelopedanewframeworkbasedontheindicatorsofsocialexclusionidentifiedthroughthestakeholderengagement,aswellasthemediatingfactorssuchasindividualcapacityandmacro-economicforces.Theresearchconcludedthatwhileruralageinghasmanypositiveaspectssuchascommunityrelationships,attentionmustbepaidtotheparticularriskfactorsfacedbyolderpeopleinruralareas,andareassuchasruralcareservicesandtransportshouldnotbeneglectedevenintimesofeconomicconstraint.

measuring age-related social exclusion in a cross-border contextResearchInstitution:NUIG

ThisstudyledbyDrKieranWalshNUIGexaminedtheissueofsocialexclusionamongolderpeopleandcontributingfactorstoisolation.Itfoundthatmanyolderpeopleenjoygoodsocialconnections.However,asubstantialnumberareatriskofsocialexclusion.Italsohighlightedthatalackofinformationaboutsocialexclusionhinderstheeffectivenessofpoliciesandprogrammesaimedtohelpthoseolderpeoplemostinneed.

Older women and pension inequalitiesResearchInstitution(s):NUIG,QUB

ThisresearchledbyDrNataDuvvuryNUIGhighlightedtheissueofgenderinequalityinpensionprovisioninIreland,NorthandSouth.Theresearchersfoundthatoneofthemainsourcesofwomen’seconomicvulnerabilityatpensionagewastheirinterruptedworktrajectoriesduetothetraditionalgenderedcaringnormandarguedthatresolvingthisproblemrequiredcomprehensiveactionacrossemployment,welfareandtaxationpolicies.

Is age a determining factor in the treatment of men with prostate cancer?ResearchInstitution(s):NICancerRegistry,QUB,NationalCancerRegistryIreland

ProstatecanceristhemostcommoncanceramongmeninIreland.TheresearchledbyDrAnnaGavinattheNICancerRegistryfoundthataccesstourologistsandcurativetreatmenthadincreasedforallmensincethemid-1990s.However,oldermenwerelesslikelytoseeaurologistorhaveradicaltreatmentthanyoungermen.Theresearchersconcludedthatdecision-makingrelatingtomedicaltreatmentforolderpatientswasacomplexprocessbutarguedthatageshouldbejustonefactortakenintoconsiderationalongsideotherhealthandwell-beingfactors.


a comparison of people seeking help at memory clinics in Belfast and DublinResearchInstitution(s):QUB,TCD,NUIG

ThisprojectledbyDrSuzanneBarrettQUBexaminedandcomparedsomeofthecharacteristicsofpeopleseekinghelpatmemoryclinics.Theresearcherslookedattwomemoryclinics:theBelfastCityHospitalClinicNIandtheMercer’sMemoryClinicatStJames’sHospitalDublinROI.Theresearchersstressedtheimportanceofidentifyingandunderstandingriskfactorsfordementiaandtheroleofearlydiagnosisineffectivemanagementandtreatmentofdementia.

medication use in patients with dementia at the end of lifeResearchInstitution(s):QUB,UCC

Despitetheincreaseintheprevalenceandincidenceofdementia,researchintopalliativecareforpatientswithadvanceddementiaislimited.ThisstudyledbyProfessorCarmelHughesQUBfoundsignificantuncertaintyandvariationinthemedicinesdoctorssaytheywouldprescribeforpatientswithdementiaattheendoflifewhenpresentedwithclinicalscenarios.Theall-IrelandresearchfoundevidencethatGPsandhospitalphysiciansindicatedtheywouldcontinuewithdementiamedicationandstatins,andactivelyprescribeantibioticswhenthereislimitedevidenceofbenefitstopatientswithdementiaattheendoflife.

Building balance with video gamesResearchInstitution(s):QUB,TCD

ThisresearchprojectledbyProfessorCathyCraigQUBexploredwhetherolderpeoplecouldplayspecificallydesignedgamesonaWiiboardtoimprovetheirbalanceandgait.TheteamdevelopedageandabilityappropriategamesandtesteditongroupsofolderpeopleinBelfastandDublin.Thestudyfoundsignificantimprovementsingaitandbalanceforthoseplayingthegames.Italsofoundthatthefunelementinthegameshelpedtomotivateandencourageolderpeople’sparticipation.

Future demand for long-term care in IrelandResearchInstitution(s):TCD,QUB

Thisprojectaimedtoconstructapredictivemodelforlong-termcareneedswasledbyProfessorCharlesNormandTCD.Itfoundthatthenumberofolderpeopleneedinglong-termcarewassettoincreasesignificantlyintheyearsto2021inIreland,NorthandSouth.Italsohighlightedtheissueofunmetcareneedsandtheurgencyofdevelopingpolicyplanningtomeetfuturedemandsforcare.

Pain, Physical activity and Depressive Symptoms in Older PeopleResearchInstitution(s):RCSI

Thisall-IrelandstudyledbyDrFrankDoyleRCSIexaminedthelinksbetweenphysicalactivity,painanddepressivesymptomsacrossthreedatasets.Thestudyfoundthatpainisassociatedwithincreaseddepressionandphysicalactivityisassociatedwithlowerdepressionlevels.Italsofoundthathavingpaindoesnotstoppeoplebenefittingfromphysicalactivity.


Physical activity, ageing and healthResearchInstitution(s):MaryImmaculateCollegeUL,UU,WIT,DCU

ThestudyledbyDrElaineMurtaghMaryImmaculateCollegeULexaminedtherelationshipbetweenhealthandphysicalactivityamongolderpeopleusingofficialdatasets.Theresultingreportunderlinedtheimportanceofremainingactiveasweage.Italsohighlightedtheneedtodevelopinnovativeprogrammestoencouragethosewhoaremostinactive,includingolderwomen,totakeupsomephysicalactivity.

Deprivation and cognitive DysfunctionResearchInstitution(s):UU,NUIM

ThisstudyledbyProfessorHeleneMcNultyandcolleaguesatUUfoundthatlivinginadisadvantagedareasignificantlypredictedcognitivedysfunctioninageing.ThismeantthatolderpeoplelivingindeprivedareasofIrelandweremorelikelytosuffermentalillnessesrangingfrommildcognitiveimpairmenttodementia.

Frailty and Disability in IrelandResearchInstitution(s):TCD,QUB

ThisstudyledbyDrMatthewO’ConnellTCDsoughttodevelopameasureoffrailtyfromtheindicatorsusedinthe2010/11HealthSurveyNIandthefirstwaveofTILDA.ThefinalreportusedthismeasuretoexplorefrailtyinNIandROI,andtoassesstherelationshipbetweenfrailtyanddisability.

examining inequalities in health and health behavioursResearchInstitution(s):UCD,TCD

Healthbehavioursaresignificantbarrierstohealthyageingbutlittleisknownabouthowtheydifferbysocio-economicstatus.ThisstudyledbyDrEibhlinHudsonexaminedinequalitiesinIreland,NorthandSouth,inhealthbehavioursandoutputssuchassmoking,alcoholconsumption,bodymassindexandphysicalactivity.Italsoexaminedchangesovertimewiththeaimofdevelopingatechniqueknownasaconcentrationindex–asinglemeasureofinequalitywhichcanbedecomposedtoanalysefactorsunderlyinginequality.

Disability in older heart disease patients ResearchInstitution(s):QUB,TCD,NISRA

ThisresearchledbyProfessorFrankKeeQUBsoughttoassesstheextenttowhichdisabilityassociatedwithcoronaryheartdisease(CHD)variedbyage,genderandsocio-economicstatus.ItreportedonlifeexpectancyfreeofCHD-relateddisabilityandrelatedinequalities,andexaminedriskfactorssuchassmoking,diabetes,obesity,physicalactivityandpsycho-socialfactors.ItalsoevaluatedhowdifferencesinhealthcareandwelfaresystemsinNIandROIimpactedondisabilityfollowingCHD.


2. Leadership Programme

CARDIFellowsandprojects

dr céline de looze, TcdCélineDeLoozeisaphoneticianbytraining,withexpertiseinspeechprosody,discourseanddialogue.ShecompletedherPhDin2010attheLaboratoireParoleetLangage,Aix-MarseilleUniversityinFranceonthethesisAnalysisandinterpretationofthetemporalspanofprosodicvariationsinFrenchandinEnglish.AfterwardssheworkedasaresearchfellowcarryingoutprosodicanalysesonParkinsonspeech,aprojectfundedbytheFrenchNationalResearchAgency.CélinehasjustcompletedpostdoctoralresearchontheScienceFoundationIreland-fundedFASTNETproject(FocusonActionsinSocialTalk:Network-EnablingTechnology)atthePhoneticsandSpeechLaboratory,TCD,whereshespecialisedinsignalsocialprocessing.Shehasworkedattheinterfacebetweenacademiaandentrepreneurshipe.g.atCrewFactorsLtdwhichhasapatentpendingforcommunicationstrainingtoairlinestaff.Célinehaspresentedherresearchfindingsatinternationalconferencesintendifferentcountries,aswellascontributingtojournalarticles.

DuringherCARDIFellowshipCélinewillstudymildcognitiveimpairmentandpsychosocialoutcomesbycharacterisinginterpersonalcommunicationsbetweenolderpeopleandcarers.Theresearchwillevaluateverbalandnon-verbalcommunicationbetweenpeoplewithmildcognitiveimpairmentandcarers.Thiswillseektoprovideadetailedcharacterisationofcommunicationstrategies;determinewhethertheabilityofthepersonwithMCIcanbeusedasamarkerofMCI;andevaluatetheimpactofcarers’communicationstrategiesonthequalityofinteractionandonthementalstateofolderpeopleandcarers.

Theresearchisbasedonthepremisethattheolderpersonmayhavedifficultiesincommunicatingdue,forexample,toaphasiaorapathyandthatthecarer’scommunicationstrategymayaffectthepatient’sself-esteemandresultinsocialwithdrawalordepression.Theprojectwillcontributetomoreobjective,non-invasiveevaluationsofMCIwhicharebothtimeandcosteffective.Italsohasthepotentialtoofferevidence-basedcarepracticestosupportolderpeoplewithMCIandtheircarers.

dr Joanne Feeney, QuBJoanneFeeneygraduatedwithaPhDfromTCDin2010.Herthesisexaminedneurocognitivechangesinassociativeandworkingmemorywithage,andinrelationtothestresshormonecortisol.ShealsoholdsapostgraduatediplomainstatisticsfromTCDandafirstclasshonoursBScinpharmacologyfromUCD(2005).ShejoinedTILDAatTCDinJuly2011whereherresearchinterestsincludedtheimpactofpsychologicalandphysiologicalstressonhealthyageingwithaparticularfocusonneurocognitiveandcardiovascularhealth.JoannewastheleadresearcherontheNeurocognitiveWorkingGroupwithinTILDAoverseeingthecognitiveandmentalhealthdomainsofthestudy.ShealsochairedtheVisionWorkingGroupandcontributedtoresearchlinkingretinalhealthandbrainfunction.

FortheCARDILeadershipProgrammeshewillexploretheimpactofstressontheneurocognitiveandcardiovascularhealthofolderadultsintheNorthandSouthofIreland,usingdatafromNICOLAandTILDA.Theexperienceofsevereorpersistentpsychologicalstresscanalterimmunemediators,triggerinflammatoryprocessesandincreaseoxidativestress,damagingbrainandcardiovascularhealth.Determiningtheimpactofstressonneurocognitiveandcardiovascularhealthisimportantinordertohelpuncoverpotentialpathwaysto,andearlyindicatorsof,diseaseanddisability.


AbetterunderstandingoftheroleofstressandthevaryingculturalandhistoricalexperiencesofpeopleinIreland,NorthandSouth,canhelptopredictandmanageage-relateddisease.Identifyingearlypathwaysandriskfactorslinkingstressexposuretodiseaseanddisabilitycanhelpinformthedesignofinterventionsandeducatethepublicaboutprotectivemeasures.

dr claire mcevoy, QuBClaireMcEvoyworkedasaclinicaldietitianbeforemovingtoaresearchpostintheCentreforPublicHealth,Queen’sUniversityBelfast.SheholdsanMPhilandgainedherPhDatQueen’sUniversityBelfastin2012forathesisonfruit,vegetableanddietarypatternsinrelationtovascularandeyehealth.Clairehasaninterestintheapplicationofmixedmethodologytonovelapproachestoencourageandsustaindietarybehaviourchangefordiseasepreventionandhasmanagedtwoclinicaltrialstodate:theFruit,VegetableandInsulinResistanceStudy(FIRST)andtheTrialtoEncourageAdoptionandMaintenanceofaMediterraneanDiet(TEAM-MED).Shehaspublishednine(first-author)peerreviewedjournalarticlesandfivebookchapters,andhaspresentedherworkatnationalandinternationalconferences.

AsaBeeson-sponsoredCARDIFellow,ClairewillinvestigatetheMediterraneandiet(MD)andcognitivedecline–strengtheningtheevidencebaseandencouragingbehaviourchange.HerresearchwillseektodeterminetheassociationbetweenMDatbaselineandcognitivedeclineanddementiariskovertimeinseveralprospectivecohortstudies;thiswillincludetechniquessuchasneuro-imaging.ShewillalsofurtherdevelopeducationalmaterialsdesignedforparticipantswithmildcognitiveimpairmenttoencouragedietarychangetowardsanMD.HerFellowshipwillincludeayear-longstudyvisittotheprestigiousKristineYaffeLabattheUniversityofCalifornia,SanFrancisco,whereshewillundertaketraininginnutritionalepidemiologyandcognitiveassessment,aswellascontributingtotheworkofthelab.

Ithasbeenestimatedthatuptoahalfofdementiacasesmayresultfrompotentiallymodifiableriskfactors.Targetingthesefactors,includingdiet,couldleadtoasignificantreductionindementiacases.Thisresearchaimstoincreaseourknowledgeonhowdietmaycontributetocognitivehealthandtoinformeffectivefuturestrategiestopreventandtreatcognitivedisordersinolderadults.

dr Joanna mcHugh, QuBJoannaMcHughcompletedherPhDresearchatTrinityCollege’sInstituteofNeuroscience(2007-2010)whereherthesisconcernedsocialandemotionalperception.ShealsoholdsafirstclasshonoursBAinPsychology(2006)fromUniversityCollegeDublin.JoannaworkedfortheNeuro-EnhancementforIndependentLives(NEIL)ResearchProgramasapostdoctoralresearchfellowbeforebecomingaCARDIFellow.Herresearchinterestsincludehealthbehavioursandsocialfunctioninginlaterlife,particularlywithreferencetocognitiveoutcomes.WithinNEILshecoordinatedarandomisedcontrolledtrialevaluatinganovelnutritionalandsocialinterventionforsociallyisolatedolderadults.Joannahaspublished13peer-reviewedarticlesinwhichshewasfirstnamedauthorandpresentedherresearchat19nationalandinternationalconferences.PriortojoiningNEIL,Joannawasseniorpostdoctoralresearchfellowonthe“Dem@Care”project,anFP7-fundedcollaborativeprojectinvestigatingtheapplicationofsensortechnologytosupportinghealthandsocialbehavioursamongindividualswithdementia(2012-2013).

ThefocusofherresearchaspartoftheCARDILeadershipProgrammeisthesocialdeterminantsofcognitivedeclineamongolderadultsinIreland,NorthandSouth.Itwillexaminethecausallinksbetweenloneliness,socialisolationandcognitivedecline,andaimstorevealthemechanismsbehindtheselinksstudyingandcomparinglongitudinalIrishpopulationstudies,TILDAandNICOLA.Theprojectwillinvestigateseveralfactorssuchassocialsupport,stress,neuro-inflammationandwhitematterstructuralintegritytoclarifytheircontributionstotherelationshipbetweensocialisolationandcognitiveoutcomesinlaterlife.

Identifyingthespecialsocialandotherfactorsthatrelatetocognitivedeclinewillbevaluableforpolicy-makersandpractitionersalike,andcanhelpinformstrategiesrelatingtothepromotionof


socialsupportforolderadultsinIreland,NorthandSouth.Theknowledgegeneratedfromthisworkcanalsohelpinformfutureevidence-basedprevention,diagnostic,therapeuticandotherstrategiesforthepreventionofdementia.

dr Sheena mcHugh, uccSheenaMcHughcompletedafouryearstructuredPhDScholarsprogrammeinHealthServicesResearchatUCCfundedbytheHealthResearchBoardin2012.HerthesiswasTheQualityofDiabetesCareintheCommunity:Practice,PolicyandCulture.SheenawasprincipalresearchanalystwiththeDiabetesinGeneralPracticeInitiativeandleadresearcheronaDepartmentofHealthcommissionedreviewofthenationalbreastscreeningprogramme.ShespenttwoyearsasaHealthResearchBoardPost-doctoralResearchFellow,leadingaworkpackageexamininghealthserviceusebyolderpeople.InJanuary2015sheledamixed-methodevaluationoftheNationalClinicalCareProgrammeforDiabetes.Sheisasupervisoronthisqualitativestudyoftheattitudestodietandphysicalactivityofwomenatriskofgestationaldiabetesandtheircareproviders.Aswellaspresentingherfindingsatinternationalconferences,Sheenahaspublishedninejournalarticlesandabookchapterasfirstauthor.

Sheena’sFellowshipwillbedevotedtothetopicPreventingfallsinolderpeoplewithdiabetes:developmentandfeasibilityofamultifactorialinterventioninprimarycare.ShewillestablishtherateandriskoffallsandfearoffallingamongolderpeoplewithdiabetesinIrelandandcomparewiththeUSA.Usingthisevidence,Sheenawilldevelopthemultifactorialfallspreventionprogramme,includingtheimplementationcontextinordertotailorstrategiestolocalcircumstances.Theobjectiveistopilotandevaluatetheimplementation,acceptabilityandsustainabilityoftheinterventioninordertosecurefundingforalarger-scaletrial.

Populationageingisamajordriverforconditionssuchasdiabetes,whichincreasestheriskoffalls.Multifactorialfallspreventioninterventionshavebeenshowntobenefitolderpeoplebutfewstudieshavestudiedtheneedsofthosewithchronicconditionssuchasdiabetes.Theresearchhasthepotentialtodeliverthefirstprimarycare-basedfallspreventionprogrammeforolderpeoplewithdiabetesinIreland.

dr charlotte neville, QuBCharlotteNevilleobtainedherPhDinnutritionalepidemiologyintheCentreforPublicHealth,Queen’sUniversityBelfastin2010.ShealsoholdsaBScHonoursDegreeinHumanNutritionandanMPhilfromtheUniversityofUlster.Herresearchhascentredaroundtheroleofdietandlifestyleonhealthanddiseaseoutcomesincludingobesity,cardiovasculardisease,musculoskeletalhealthandcognitivehealth,rangingfromadolescentpopulationsthroughtoolderadults.Inrecentyears,Charlotte’sresearchhasexpandedintolifestyleandageing.ShewastrialmanageroftheAgeingandDietaryInterventionTrial(ADIT)examiningtheeffectofincreasedfruitandvegetableconsumptiononmeasuresofimmunefunctionandmusculoskeletalhealthinolderadults.

InherresearchasaCARDIFellowCharlottewillexploretheassociationbetweenfruitandvegetableintake,retinalmicrovascularhealth,andcognitivedeclineanddementiarisk.Accurateassessmentofdietaryintakeinolderpopulationsisvitaltounravelthepotentialroleofdietinhealthyageing.TheresearchwillexaminetheefficacyofassessmentmethodscurrentlyusedinNICOLAandtestotherpotentialdietaryassessmentmethodsthatmaybeparticularlysuitedtoolderpeople.HerresearchwillalsodrawonTILDAtoexaminethetopicofdietaryintakeanditslinktodementiainolderpeople.

In2012itwasestimatedthattherewere35.6millionpeopleworldwidewithdementiaandthatthenumberwillapproximatelydoubleevery20yearsbecauseofgrowinglifeexpectancy.Theabilitytoidentifythoseathighriskofdementiaatanearlystageandsetinplacestrategiestoreduceage-relatedmorbidityandchronicdiseaseprevalencecanhelpencouragehealthyageing,andhavefinancialandsocietalbenefits.


dr matthew o’connell, TcdMatthewO’ConnellcompletedaPhDattheUniversityofManchesterinNovember2011onFrailtyandanabolichormonesinageingmen,whichinvolvedworkontheobservationalEuropeanMaleAgeingStudy(EMAS)andaclinicaltrialoftestosteronetherapyinfrailmen.MatthewheldapostdoctoralpositioninManchesterlookingatlongitudinalchangesinsexhormonelevelsintheEMAS.HejoinedTheIrishLongitudinalStudyonAgeing(TILDA)asaResearchFellowinJanuary2012andbecameChairofthefrailtyresearchgroupandthemeleadonphysiologicalageing,frailtyandfunctionaldecline,designingandpilotingstudiesofnewhealthassessmentsforWave3.MatthewalsohadleadresponsibilityforallComputerAidedPersonalInterview(CAPI)design.HehasheldgrantsfromtheHealthResearchBoard(2010-15)andCARDI(2013-14)andwasfirstauthorofsixjournalarticles.

Matthew’sBeeson-sponsoredCARDIFellowshipwillallowhimtoexplorenovelphysiologicaldeterminantsoffunctionaldeclineacrossIreland,drawingonsurveyfindingsandhealthassessmentsfrombothTILDAanditsequivalent,NICOLA(NorthernIrelandCohortLongitudinalStudyofAgeing).Hewillusethesedatatoquantifyfour-yearchangeinkeyfunctionalmeasures,particularlymusclestrengthandmobilityandidentifyandvalidatephysiologicalmarkersrelatedtofalls,disabilityandmortality.Markwillthenassesstherelationshipbetweenthemarkersandfunctionalperformance;explorepotentialmechanismslinkingneuro-cardiovascularbehaviourandfunctionaldeclineatthelevelofthebrain;andcomparehealthofolderpeople,NorthandSouth.

Insightsfromthestudywilldirectlyinformclinicalpracticeinfallsandblackoutclinics.Dataonpatternsofdeclineandcross-nationalvariationsinhealthwillassistgovernmentefforts,NorthandSouth,topromotehealthyageing.Matthewwillspecificallyworkwithclinicalcolleaguestotranslatefindingsintoopportunitiesforscreeningandintervention,andwithcolleaguesonbio-engineeringtoexploreopportunitiesforinnovationandtechnologydevelopment.

dr mark o’doherty, QuBMarkO’DohertyPhDisapostdoctoralresearchfellowfromtheUKClinicalResearchCollaborationCentreofExcellenceforPublicHealth,Queen’sUniversityBelfast,whereheobtainedhisPhDinnutritionalandcardiovascularepidemiologyin2009.Mark’spostdoctoraltrainingtodatehasbeenincancerepidemiologyandhealthyageing,andhehasextensiveexperienceintheutilisationandmanagementoflargedatasets,bothinanall-IrelandsettingandduringhistimeattheNationalCancerInstitute,WashingtonDC,UnitedStates.HewascoretothestrategicorganisationofthecardiovasculardiseaseanddiabetesWorkPackagewithintheEU7thframeworkCHANCESProject:ConsortiumonHealthandAgeing:NetworkofCohortsinEuropeandtheUnitedStates.

Mark’sresearchasaCARDIFellowwillexploredifferencesintrendsinwork-relateddisabilityandinthewaypeoplereportdisabilitybetweennationsandacrossdifferentnationalhealthandwelfareservicecontexts.Theaimofthisresearchistodevelopexpertiseintheevaluationandassessmentofwork-relateddisabilityamongolderadultsthroughtheuseofdisabilityvignetteswhichwillsupplementself-reporteddisability.ThisapproachprovidesthecapacitytocomparevariationsinreportingthresholdswithrepresentativedatafordifferingageingpopulationsfromTheIrishLongitudinalStudyofAgeing(TILDA)andtheNorthernIrelandCohortfortheLongitudinalStudyofAgeing(NICOLA).Onlybycomparingself-reporteddisabilityandhealthwiththoseconfirmedbyobjectivehealthassessmentcanweformabetterunderstandingofthedegreetowhichperceptionsofworkdisabilityareguidedbyobjectivehealthstatus,bysocio-economicenvironmentandbypersonalcharacteristicsandcircumstances.

Asthestatepensionageincreasesandlargernumbersofolderpeopleremaininworktheissueofworkdisabilitywillgrowinimportance.ThisresearchwillhelpusexploreimplicationsforpolicyespeciallyasdisabilityratesamongolderpeoplearehigherinNIthanelsewhereintheUKorintheROI.


dr Aisling o’Halloran, TcdAislingO’HalloranholdsaPhDincardiovasculardiseaseandgeneticsfromtheRoyalCollegeofSurgeonsinIreland(RCSI)andaBA(Mod)inNaturalScience,specialisingingenetics,fromTrinityCollegeDublin.ShejoinedTILDAasapostdoctoralfellowinhealthresearchinJanuary2012whereherresearchinterestsincludedallaspectsoffrailty,resilienceandfalls,withaninterestincharacterisingthephysiological,cognitiveandbehaviouralfactorswhichpredisposeorprotectolderpeopletotheseoutcomes.ShewastheresearchleadonboththeFrailtyWorkingGroupandtheBiomarkerWorkingGroupwithinTILDA.PreviouslyAislingwastheSeniorResearcherontheFallsPreventionStrandattheTechnologyResearchforIndependentLiving(TRIL)CentreatStJames’sHospitalinDublin(2010-2011).Shehaspublishedinhighimpactjournalsandpresentedatscientificandmedicalconferencesbothnationallyandinternationally.

Aisling’sresearchasaCARDIFellowisonthethemeoffrailtyandolderpeopleinIreland,NorthandSouth.Frailtyisadriveroffunctionalandcognitivedecline,predictingmultimorbidity,disability,increasedhealthcareutilisationandmortalityinolderpeople.However,frailtycanbeamelioratedthroughearlydetectionandintervention.ThisstudywillusedatafromTILDAandNICOLAtotracktransitionsalongthefrailtyspectrumfromonewaveofthesurveystoanother.Thiswillhelptoidentifyriskfactorsforfrailtyinolderpeoplewiththeaimofdevelopingnewevidence-basedtargetsfortheearlydetectionoffrailtyandsuitableinterventions.Itwillalsoseektodevelopestimatesoffuturehealthcareneedsrelatedtofrailty.

Frailtyratesrisewithageand36%ofpeopleaged80+inNIand15%inROIarefrail.ThisresearchwillraiseawarenessanddeepenunderstandingofboththelevelsoffrailtyandfrailtypreventioninIreland,NorthandSouth.Thefindingswillbeofinteresttoresearchers,healthcareprofessionals,policy-makersandolderpeople’sgroups.


3.CARDI Publications 2008-2015

2008

CARDIStrategicPlan2008-2011

2009

MappingresearchinIrelandagainsttheUNResearchAgendaonageingforthe21stCentury

CareandCaringinIreland,NorthandSouth:OlderPeopleasBothRecipientsandGiversofCare

StocktakeofAgeingPublicPolicyInitiativesinIreland,NorthandSouth

GovernmentStructuresinIreland,NorthandSouth

Goods,FacilitiesandServices:EqualityforOlderPeople

Whatisinterdisciplinary?Considerationsforresearchers(includingapplicantstotheCARDIResearchGrantsProgramme)

PublicTransportandOlderPeopleinIreland,NorthandSouth

2010

IllustratingAgeinginIrelandNorth&South-KeyFactsandFigures

HealthStructuresinIreland,NorthandSouth

PensionsPolicyinIreland,NorthandSouth

ApproachestohealthpolicyinIreland,NorthandSouth

Focuson...Dementia

StocktakeofAgeingPublicPolicyInitiativesinIreland,NorthandSouth(updated)

GovernmentStructuresinIreland,NorthandSouth(updated)

Focuson...Nutrition

CARDIGrantsProgramme–Overview2010

InequalitiesinOldAge:theImpactoftherecessiononOlderPeopleinIreland,NorthandSouth

TheoriesofAgeingandApproachestoWelfareinIreland,NorthandSouth

Summary:HowTheoriesofAgeingcanInfluencePolicy

Focuson...FearofCrime


APictureofAgeingResearchinIreland,NorthandSouth2010

Healthyageinginruralcommunities

TransportandRuralAgeing

Focuson...OlderPeople’sSkills

2011

End-of-lifecarestandardsforpeoplewithdementia

Focuson...HomeCare

Focuson...OlderVoters

Universaldesignforolderpeople

Inappropriateprescribingofmedicines

Focuson...AgeingStrategies

Focuson...OlderVoters:NIUpdate

AgeingandIntellectualDisability

Insightsintoelderabuse

Focuson...Volunteering

Focuson...ModelsofCare

Physicalactivityandmentalhealthinageing

Theroleoftelecareinsupportingcarersofolderpeople

Focuson...AgeingandAccesstoHealthServices

GlobalAgeing:AnOverview

Multimorbidityintheolderpopulation

Focuson...Insurance:RiskIndemnityorAgeDiscrimination

Understandingfuelpovertyintheolderpopulation


2012

Inequalitiesinoldage2011

Age,IncomeandFoodinIreland

QualityinAgeingandOlderAdults

Focuson...IntergenerationalSolidarity

Socialexclusionandageinginruralcommunities

Olderwomenandpensioninequalities

Isageadeterminingfactorinthetreatmentofmenwithprostatecancer?

10GuidelinesforWritingPolicyRecommendations

Focuson...LonelinessandPhysicalHealth

AcomparisonofpeopleseekinghelpatmemoryclinicsinBelfastandDublin

Focuson...Age-FriendlyCities

Medicationuseinpatientswithdementiaattheendoflife

Focuson...InternetUseandOlderPeople

Buildingbalancewithvideogames

Futuredemandforlong-termcareinIreland

CARDIGrantsProgramme–Overview2012

2013

Extrahealthyyearsorjustextrayears?WhatcanweknowfromthedatawehaveontheislandofIreland?

Focuson...PublicHealthCampaignsforOlderPeople

Focuson...PensionKnowledgeandOlderPeople

InnovationinPolicy:InsightsforAgeing

Focuson...HousingandtheHealthofOlderPeople

Focuson...AlcoholMisuseAmongOlderPeople

E-GovernmentandOlderPeopleinIreland,NorthandSouth

Summary:OnlineGovernment-OfflineOlderPeople?

Focuson...TechnologyandHomeCare

CARDIStrategicPlan2013-2015


2014

PublicandCommunityTransportforOlderPeopleinRuralIreland-NorthandSouth

Summary:PublicandCommunityTransportforOlderPeopleinRuralIreland-NorthandSouth

Focuson...InnovativeCommunityProjectsforOlderWorkers

BuildingStrongerUserEngagementinAgeResearch

Summary:AGuidetoUserInvolvementinAgeingResearch

SocialExclusionamongOlderPeopleinIreland,NorthandSouth

Pain,PhysicalActivityandDepressiveSymptomsinOlderPeople

Focuson...OlderVoters2014

PhysicalActivity,AgeingandHealth

AnExploratoryStudyoftheWealthofOlderPeopleinIreland,NorthandSouth

Summary:WealthofOlderPeopleinIreland,NorthandSouth

UnderstandingSocio-EconomicInequalitiesAffectingOlderPeople

Summary:UnderstandingSocio-EconomicInequalitiesAffectingOlderPeople

Focuson...SleepandOlderPeople

CARDIFellowLeadershipProgrammeinAgeingResearch–Overview

Focuson...DyingatHome

DeprivationandCognitiveDysfunction

Focuson...Influenza

FrailtyandDisability

APictureofAgeingResearchinIreland,NorthandSouth2014

2015

InequalitiesinHealthBehaviours

Focuson…Socialinclusionandageingwithanintellectualdisability

DisabilityinOlderHeartDiseasePatients

KeepingActiveforBetterAgeing

GettingInvolvedinAgeingResearch:Aguideforthecommunityandvoluntarysector

CARDIFellowLeadershipProgrammeinAgeingResearch-OverviewUpdate

Focuson…Healthofolderwomeninemployment


4. Selection of CARDI workshops, training events, launches and seminars 2008-2015

2008

Launch:CARDI–Belfast

Launch:CARDI–Dublin

Seminar:DevelopmentsinHousing,HealthandTechnologyforOlderPeople-ShowcasingResearch&Practice

Seminar:ShowcasingAgeing&DisabilityResearch-LessonsforPolicyandPractice

2009

Workshops:SeriesofCARDIGrantsProgrammebriefings

Seminar:BuildingRelationshipsandMakingLinkagesbetweenResearchandPolicy

2010

Launch:IllustratingAgeinginIreland

TrainingEvent:‘YourMemoriesMatter’-ShowcasingReminiscenceResearch

Seminar:OldAge-oldnewsornewdebate?

Seminar:LivingLonger-WorkingLonger

Seminar:AnAgeOldProblem–wherenowforruralservices?

Launch:APictureofAgeingResearch

2011

Training:ResearchEthicsinInterdisciplinaryAgeingResearch

Launch:Anevaluationofinappropriateprescribinginlong-stayelderlyfacilitiesinGreaterCorkandNI

Seminar:Isincreasinglifeexpectancyalsoimprovingageing?

Training:Lostintranslation-howtocommunicatemosteffectivelywithnon-academics

Conference:TheDemographyofAgeingandOfficialStatistics

InternationalConference:AgeingGlobally-AgeingLocally


2012

Workshop:ReframingDementia

Launch:Decision-makingregardingmedicationuseinpatientswithdementiaattheendoflife

Training:FutureLeadersofAgeingResearchinEuropeSummerSchool

Launch:Useofvideogamestoimprovebalanceandpreventfallsinolderpeople

2013

Workshop:EuropeanYearforActiveAgeingandSolidaritybetweenGenerations-WheretoNext?

Seminar:WhatwecanlearnfromthedataontheislandofIrelandaboutlifeexpectancies

Workshop:Policy/ResearchExchange-RuralAgeing

Training:InternationalTrainingProgrammeonAgeing

Launch:E-government&OlderPeopleinIreland,NorthandSouth

2014

Seminar:Housingforanageingpopulation

Workshop:Whyandhowtogetinvolvedinageingresearch,Dublin

Workshop:Whyandhowtogetinvolvedinageingresearch,Belfast

InauguralMeeting:LeadershipProgramme

Seminar:Keepingactiveforbetterageing

Workshop:Futuredirectionsandcollectivestrengthsindementiaresearch

2015

Launch:DisabilityinolderheartdiseasepatientsinIreland

LeadershipProgramme–ScientificMeeting

InternationalTrainingProgrammeinAgeing:DementiaandMemoryImpairment



Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland

ForestviewPurdy’sLaneBelfastBT87ARTel:+44(0)28906900665thFloorBishop’sSquareRedmond’sHillDublin2Tel:+353(0)14786308

Email:[email protected]:www.cardi.ie September2015

Documents

CARDI: An overview 2007-2015€¦ · Portfolio Publication - A Picture of Ageing Research in Ireland, North and South, updated CARDI Leadership Programme in Ageing Research - 3 CARDI