Meeting the Challenge of an Ageing Population: House of Lords Event Event

Aim:

Showcasing ground breaking inter-disciplinary research in the field of social care using modelling policy tools at the University of Southampton, which is informing policy and shaping practice.

The research brings together expertise in the fields of demography, gerontology, operational research, complexity science and medicine. It also showcases collaborative working between research on Ageing, Health and Wellbeing and Complexity Science at the University, two of the University's USRGs.

Rationale:

The population of the UK is ageing. In 2012, over five million people were aged 75 and over, comprising 8% of the population; by 2031 this figure is projected to rise to 8.3m, constituting 1 in every 8 people. Elderly people are the major users of health and social care services and the demographic changes combined with public sector spending cuts mean that supporting older people to continue to live independently in the community is an increasingly critical issue. Research at Southampton in the EPSRC Care Life Cycle is devleoping tools to assist policy makers in understanding the future demand and supply of health and social care services, facilitating them to meet the needs of an ageing population.

Two case studies will be presented. The first examines the demand for local authority social care services, explicitly taking into account how changes in living arrangements and family structures will affect the future availability of informal support. This research goes beyond traditional approaches by examining the interaction of formal and informal care. The second case study examines the complex interaction between health and social care. Using the example of treatment for macular degeneration, the research highlights how improving the efficiency of clinical services has economic and social benefits for both individuals and society, and can reduce the demand for social care.

The event will showcase other research at the UoS through the display materials and researchers will be available for discussion during the event.

Read the latest press releasehere.

Contact:

Prof Maria Evandrou maria.evandrou@soton.ac.uk ; P

rof Jane Falkingham J.C.Falkingham@soton.ac.uk ;

Prof Sally Brailsford S.C.Brailsford@soton.ac.uk

David Sinclair at ILC-UK on 02073400440 davidsinclair@ilcuk.org.uk

Further information:

Centre for Ageing website: www.southampton.ac.uk/ageing

Ageing USRG website: www.southampton.ac.uk/ageingusrg

ILC-UK website: http://www.ilcuk.org.uk/