Region leads way in ageing research

Feb 5 2009 By Alastair Gilmour, The Journal

OLDER people often feel isolated from information communications technology. Alastair Gilmour reports on the innovative, all-inclusive work taking place in Newcastle.

GETTING older is the one thing we can’t avoid. It’s inescapable and we’re in it together. Society is ageing, people are living longer and enjoying greater quality of life than ever before.

Until now there has been relatively little attention paid to the needs, limitations and opportunities which information and communications technology (ICT) presents for this rapidly-expanding group.

Worldwide every month, another 1.2 million people turn 60. Between 2000 and 2050 the percentage of the total population aged 60 or more will more than double – from 10% to 22%. In some countries, by the year 2050, the number of older people will outnumber children (aged one to 14) by 2:1.

These dramatic demographic shifts pose serious challenges for an inclusive "information society".

Challenges bring opportunities, however. Ideas for an ICT-enabled ageing population have to be stimulated, novel approaches examined and innovative strategies developed – and it’s an area in which the Centre of Excellence for Life Sciences (Cels) in Newcastle is taking a lead role.

The organisation has been working with Gary Moulton from computer giant Microsoft for the past 10 months to highlight the region’s strength in research into ageing.

Gary, a product manager responsible for ensuring Microsoft’s products, programmes and services are safe, secure, easy to use and are accessible and politically correct, was so impressed with the work going on in Newcastle, that he signed Microsoft up as a member of the Active Age programme. The consortium of organisations includes BT, Newcastle City Council, Broadband Capital and The Essentia Group.

It was originally established by Aberdeen-based BusinessLab to research key issues of an ageing society and to develop solutions to improve competitiveness.

Gary’s findings are included in a workshop called Developing and Designing ICT e-Inclusion Programmes for Older Persons.

They have already been put forward to the United Nations Public Administration Network and will be used in a presentation to the World Summit on the Information Society in Geneva in May.

"My time in Newcastle has been extremely beneficial," says Gary. "It’s a vibrant, inclusive, sustainable and modern city committed to improving the quality of life for older people, providing them with access to information, advice and advocacy whilst allowing physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

"The city has the most integrated approach to the needs assessment of older individuals that I’ve witnessed. It has provided me with an excellent case study to present my findings to the UN."

Information and communication technology can be introduced to older people in three contexts – ageing at work, ageing in the community and ageing at home – helping them to live independently, to monitor their health and to remain active.

This can be teaching older people to use computers and mobile phones but isn’t as simple as it first seems – there are psychological barriers to overcome along with apprehensions and concerns about being too old to learn.

However, training in these devices alone brings a great sense of purpose and a realisation that mastering technologies isn’t so daunting after all.

To support Microsoft’s development of the UN paper, Cels arranged a series of meetings to give all parties the chance to discuss current ageing initiatives.

The report looks at life expectancy, the opportunities and challenges expected in the years to come, the impact on healthcare, social, government and work in ageing policy, plus a need for digital literacy amongst the older generations.

Cels chief executive Mike Asher believes the relationship with Microsoft brings exciting new opportunities.

"To have one of the biggest companies in the world conduct research in the North East further proves that the region is leading the way in innovation," he says.

But is Microsoft’s approach more than simply teaching the elderly computer basics and mobile phone gadgetry?

"Yes," says Gary Moulton. "Older adults have to be made aware of the wide range of digital applications and devices that are currently available and get some sense of the direction that technology is headed in the future. Ultimately what to use and integrate into their day-to-day lives is up to them, but because they are not marketed to, they don’t know what’s available.

"When we typically talk about technology we don’t describe it in language that is understandable by most older people – and we certainly don’t throw out a ‘welcome mat’ for them.

"I found the meetings with representatives from the Newcastle City Council and Broadband Capital absolutely fascinating. The Campus for Ageing and Vitality that is under development is world-leading."

This unique campus is a vision of Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust within the auspices of Newcastle Science City and the Institute for Ageing and Health at Newcastle University.

It is expected to bring the university, healthcare sector, volunteer organisations and businesses together to generate innovation in products and services for the support of healthy ageing and independence.

Stuart Colmer heads the Cels initiative and originally approached Gary Moulton with the proposal that Microsoft could contribute to the programme.

He says: "It’s not just finding neat solutions for older people but solutions for older people within a community. We invited Gary to meet a whole gamut of people who have the passion to make things like this work and for him to talk about Microsoft’s ambitions, and to let him know what was already going on in Newcastle.

"He was so impressed he decided to base himself in the city while working on the paper for the UN."

Ageing is a seriously undervalued asset to society. The image of older people is often taken up by stereotypes with the serious implication being their exclusion from activities and social groups.

The aim is to ensure that they are able to age with dignity and to continue to participate to their societies as citizens with full rights. Up to 40% of people are left behind from the information society and the gap is growing.

Gary Moulton says: "Marketing wise, we just get a lot smarter about how to position our products to older adults. The more they use our products and services – and provide us with feedback – the better we can do design-wise, as these evolve."