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External Research

This new section of the website aims to draw attention to recent research projects about older people.

There is little current research being undertaken about older people and learning and we feel that as more policy is being developed in this area, there is a need for more evidence and research. We offer these downloadable, research reports for your information and we would like to add more relevant research projects to our website.  We are not aware of these reports being published in research journals and they have not been approved or evaluated by us.

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Vulnerability In Aged Care Clients – A Literature Review

Dr June Hazzlewood and Dr Peter Orpin, February 2007

University Department of Rural Health, Tasmania Commissioned by Tasmanian Council of Social Services and Home and Community Care, Department of Health and Human Services

This literature review is designed to complement and inform a research project looking into issues of age-related vulnerability and abuse for clients of the Home and Community Care (HACC) program within the Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services.

Download "Vulnerability In Aged Care Clients – A Literature Review"

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‘The Pleasure of Learning Never Ends' Older people and lifelong learning in Leeds: A research report.

Older People’s Lifelong Learning Network, May 2007.

In Autumn 2006, the Older People’s Lifelong Learning Network launched a survey to investigate the experiences, needs and wishes of older people with regards to lifelong learning activities in Leeds. The Network wanted to find out what older people in Leeds want and need from learning in order to promote the benefits of learning, but also to present some of the real challenges that older people face when trying to access opportunities. The aim of this report is to raise the profile of lifelong learning for older people.

Comments on the report are being sought, particularly in the following area:
1. Views and policy on funding for lifelong learning.
2. Issues of concern that this report raises.
3. Any suggestions for raising the profile of lifelong learning in Leeds.

Older People and Learning in Leeds - [PDF]

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Learning in later life: oldering or empowerment?

A third-age researcher’s interpretation of some voices of third-age learners. Mary Brown

A small study of learning in later life, involving in-depth interviews with three diverse sample groups (Open University students, members of the University of the Third Age and learners in care settings) suggests that such learning can be empowering. While motives for, outcomes of and meanings attached to learning varied among the groups, such learning can be seen as resistance to oldering: a Foucaultian concept, involving one mechanism by which ageism is accepted throughout society, including among old people. The study suggests that old people can resist such oldering through learning; this was most evident among members of the University of the Third age, and least in care settings. However, even there empowerment seemed a possibility, challenging ageist stereotypes and practices. Furthermore, concepts of learning differed between groups, suggesting an old person’s way of knowing, and of learning.

Learning in later life: oldering or empowerment? Report - [Word]

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Senior peer mentor physical activity programme for the 50+

An evaluation of the Ashfield and Mansfield ‘Activity Friends’ project for the 50+
Tim Corbin
October 2006.

Activity friends, also known as Senior Peer Activity Motivators, is a programme designed to help people aged 50+ achieve a healthier lifestyle by making decisions about incorporating more physical activity into their lives.

A range of quantitative and qualitative methods were used to monitor and evaluate the pilot. These included the training of volunteers, provision of on-going support, monthly recording of activity, the work of the Steering Group and in particular ‘Evaluation Parties’ using focus groups.

Activity-friends-report-2006 - [PDF]

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Evaluation of “Using Reminiscence” Training and the Older Learners Project

Dr Gary Kitchen
Anne Pennington
June 2006

We were commissioned in February 2006, by Cumbria Adult Education and MLA North West, to evaluate and assess the impact of the second phase of the Cumbria Older Learners Project 1. This focused on a programme of “Using Reminiscence” training provided by Cumbria Adult Education.

The first phase of the Project, known as the Third Age Learning Initiative, involved four museums in Cumbria in pilot projects between October 2002 and February 2004. An introductory guide for museums was produced on the basis of this experience and published by MLA North West. The pilot projects each had reminiscence sessions as a key component, together with exhibitions and oral history recordings.

Evaluation of MLA Older Learners Project - [PDF]

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Wolverhampton Adult Education Service: A Learning Strategy for Older Adults

Initial Consultation Document
Dana Tooby
June 2006
In order to develop a learning strategy for older adults it is necessary to consider a range of factors that affect older people and then set them into the context of leisure and learning.

This document gives a brief overview of demographic trends and outlines some of the factors that relate to learning, which present opportunities and challenges for the Government, individuals, industry and local authority services such as Adult Education. It will conclude by suggesting ways to move forward.

Learning Strategy Report - [Word]

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Lifelong learning and the Women’s Institutes

Directed by Dr Sue Jackson, and fieldwork by Jan Etienne.
May 2006.

This project is managed by the Birkbeck Institute for Lifelong Learning, and the fieldwork is being conducted with the support of the National Federation of Women’s Institutes. The National Federation of Women’s Institutes has been selected because lifelong learning and ‘community’ are of central importance to the work of the organisation.

The research will explore questions about older learners, gender, social class, active citizenship and community, analyzing the findings with regard to several types of capital: identity, social, human, cultural and material.

http://www.bbk.ac.uk/ce/lawi/aboutproject/index.shtml

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Older Adults and Computer Learning

Final Project Report
Mary Colclough
May 2006

This project aims to investigate the purposes of learning computer applications by a group of older adults, and the factors that make for successful learning. The investigation was informed by a number of theories, in particular that social capital might promote certain forms of learning. Data were gathered from semi-structured interviews amongst older learners. The study concludes that older people are learning computers more for personal satisfaction and social, rather than for work-related purposes. Positive perceptions of their teacher, peer learners and the learning environment are important. The concept of social capital in relation to learning is unclear and merits greater research.

Older Adults Computer Learning - [Word]

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The Older Learner – Incentives & Barriers

Elders Council of Newcastle
March 2006

The Learning & Culture Group has noted with concern, the possibly damaging repercussions on older learners of pending changes in the Government’s funding of adult & community learning. It has also noted that these changes will run directly counter to the intentions of other Government publications such as the Department of Work and Pensions “Opportunity Age” and the Social Exclusion Unit’s “Excluded Older People”.

The research that the Group decided to take up was the wider benefits of learning, by looking at what older people thought they gained from learning activities and what they considered to be barriers to engaging in learning.

Newcastle Elders Council - [Word]

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“Age Don’t Count Here”

An Evaluation of Age Concern Liverpool’s Active Living Programme
Dr Gary Kitchen
February 2006

We were commissioned in September 2005 to review the Active Living Programme of Age Concern Liverpool, comprising the Active Age Centre in north Liverpool, Stay Active Stay Healthy, and the Older People’s Programme in Tuebrook/Clubmoor.

Active Living Programme Report - [PDF]

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