Professor Charlotte Clarke

Centre for Community, Health & Education Studies

British Academy International Collaborative Research Network on Risk in Ageing Populations

Risk Construction & Management in Dementia Care (The Health Foundation) Contested territories of everyday living Alcohol related brain damage Risk dilemmas

Information Management in Dementia Care (NIHR RfPB)

MATSIQOL (EU 7th Framework)

Multi-national study: UK, Australia, Germany, South Africa

53 older people interviewed Key issues:

Social isolation Social worth Self-determination Security

Keeping active Relationships Community connections Practical coping Emotional coping Spiritual coping

A key aspect in maintaining mental health well-being in older age appears to relate to their connection to community and relationships

The Network aims to develop interdisciplinary expertise to investigate major determinants of health and well-being in later life.

Focussing on social and community environments, psychological resourcefulness, and mental and physical health.

North-East Ageing Research (NEAR) 25 yr Cohort

Social Science – conceptualising well-being

Mathematical modelling

Physical – exercise; moderate alcohol; chocolate

Psychological – spirituality; informal support; psychological integrity

Independence – social productivity; adjusting goals

Learning & growth – employment; volunteering; internet use; art groups

Material – income Environment – attachment to place; design; pet Social – friends; social support; couple

interdependency

Seminar with 40 older people in NE What is well-being?

Being an individual Being valued A sense of peace and contentment Having social contact Having a ‘purpose’ Feeling safe

SELF EXPRESSION HAVING CONTROL

"Having a say" "Having choices“ "Good morale“ "Being an

individual“ "Self expression" "Individuality"

"Doing what pleases you“

"Living independently"

Determination, Motivation and drive, "Control over my

own life"

DIGNITY AND EQUALITY

"Accepted unconditionally“ "Not being classed as old“ Being individual, Valued, Respected,

Useful, Wanted “Dignity "Being needed just as I was thinking about

retiring"

PEACE OF MIND CONTENTMENT

Safe, Relaxation "Calm and

Balance“ "Being at

peace“, "Having my

needs met“ "Peace of mind“ "Stability"

Happiness "Home“ "being at

peace“ "Belonging“ "Being

content“ "Positive

outlook"

• "Time for myself“• "Belonging“• "Happy with myself“• "Doing things that please you“• "Emotional fulfilment"

FULFILMENT

COMPANY "Social Inclusion“ Included, Attachment “'Part' of a family” "Meeting people with a smile and getting one

back“ Socialising "Laughter“ "Waking up with my wife“ "Feeling loved", "Hugs“ "Lots of contact with family and friends"

BEING BUSY

"Doing something that pleases you“ Pursuits, Pastimes, Interests Travel and favourite places "Being helpful“ " Caring" "Having motivation and drive"

EMOTIONALLY / PSYCHOLOGICALLY

FINANCIALLY

Freedom from pain "Freedom from

worry“ "Feeling safe” "Knowing you are

loved"

“Knowing I owe nowt“

"Financial security"

Finance Cultural change Planning (self and political)

Finance "Money available should be a regular thing not a luxury", "A

'good' pension", "Equal opportunities and access to financial support", "financial policies in place", "Funding", "Money, access, transport, organisation and time"

Cultural Change "A different value system", "Village life, neighbourhood watch",

Volunteers, "An education system to enable people to be happy", "Older people seen as a valued member of society not a drain"

Planning "Don't make independent, dependent", "Know what's available",

"Convince others that it depends on their well-being as well".