“We need to reframe, rethink and reflect again on the narrative that ageing is all about decline,” says , Professor of Nursing Practice in the School of Sport and Health Sciences at the 91系列, who has led the research project investigating the challenges around caring for older people in an ageing European population.
The four-year, €4.5 million project has concluded that efforts should be made to ensure older people retain control over their lives, that emotional support is as important to many as practical support, and transitions between settings should be carefully managed. In addition, different perspectives and dilemmas associated with family care as opposed to residential care need to be considered and issues of gender as people age must be taken into account. Finally, the benefits and challenges of adopting digital technology are complex; much more research is needed to ensure that these innovations improve wellbeing for older generations in reality.