Registration open for EARC Seminar on mental health and ageing

It is well known that the population, both nationally and globally, is ageing. The WHO has stated that, between 2015 and 2050, the proportion of the world’s population over 60 years will nearly double, from 12% to 22%. It goes on to suggest that 20% of over 60s have a mental disorder, predominantly dementia and depression. In addition, older people are at risk of elder abuse, which can exacerbate mental health issues.

These issues aren’t separate from the lifecourse, but a result of it. This seminar will look at the risk factors in earlier life that lead to physical and mental health issues, and will consider how these problems are currently being addressed and mitigated. To do so, we have invited a range of colleagues across the three Eastern Arc universities (UEA, Essex and Kent) to discuss the issues further, based on the findings of their research.

Speakers

• Prof Emily Grundy (Institute for Social and Economic Research, Essex): Emily is Professor of Population Science and was the Director of ISER until 2020. Her main research interests are families, households and kin and social networks in later life, especially in relationship to health, associations between family life courses and health and well-being at older ages, and trends and differentials in later life health, disability and mortality.
• Prof Alisoun Milne (Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, Kent): Alisoun is Emeritus Professor in Social Gerontology and Social Work. Before becoming an academic, Alisoun worked as a social worker and team manager in two local authorities in London for seven years. Her research interests are in four intersecting areas: social work with older people and their families; mental health in later life; family caring; and long term care.

Respondent

• Prof Michael Hornberger (Norwich Medical School, UEA). Michael is Professor of Applied Dementia Research. His research focuses on improving diagnosis, disease progression tracking and symptom management in dementia. His current research is particularly focused on spatial orientation and navigation deficits in dementia and how this has an impact on people’s outdoor activities such as driving and walking safely.

Chair

• Prof Kevin Daniels (UEA). Kevin is Professor of Organisational Behaviour and led the Work, Learning and Wellbeing evidence programme for the ESRC. He is currently leading another ESRC-funded project on workplace wellbeing practices and productivity, as part of a wider programme of projects concerned with management practices, employee engagement and productivity.

Photo by Jonathan Cosens Photography on Unsplash