British Society of Gerontology 41st Annual Conference Book of Abstracts Wednesday 11th July – Friday 13th July 2012 Keele University RES-356-25-0005 Contents Keynote Presentations 2 Oral and Symposia Presentations 3 Poster Presentations 194 Author Index 229 Note Paper 233 1 Keynote Presentations Toni Calasanti Different or Unequal? Considering Power Relations In neo-liberal societies of the global North, responsibility for “ageing well” is often placed on individuals, and interventions or attempts at “empowerment” tend to follow suit. Although gerontologists have become increasingly aware of and attentive to diversity among the older population, this more individualistic approach has often led to describing differences and working for personal or social change at that level, rather than considering the power relations that underlie such differences. Focusing on gender and age, I discuss what can occur when we do not dismantle the power relations that lead to inequalities before we construct interventions. For instance, failing to address gendered ageism as we formulate successful ageing can lead to a celebration of the anti-ageing industry as empowerment. This can allow ageing men and women to maintain youth-based, gendered bodies that simultaneously exclude the bodies of “other” elders while maintaining the inequalities that underlie such ideals. Likewise, ignoring the political economic bases of the rhetoric of “too many old people” in policy debates over insurance and pensions, leads to strategies that not only reinforce ageism but also exacerbate inequalities among old people. I conclude that inattention to power dynamics leads to knowledge and interventions that run the risk of failure while also reinforcing existing inequalities and resultant problems. Murna Downs From Invisible Patient to Citizen and Activist: Dementia Comes of Age Our understanding of dementia has changed significantly in the last 15 years. What was once regarded as a hopeless and helpless personal tragedy for the person and their family is now regarded as shameful neglect and denial on the part of government and community. National and international contemporary policy requires that we transform our approach to health and social care of people with dementia and their families. Central to creating this transformational change is the involvement of people with dementia and their families, as experts by experience, in research and service development. Alongside these initiatives is the emphasis on creating communities which take positive action to ensure that people with dementia can live their lives as citizens with rights and entitlements. Such „dementia-friendly‟ communities are seeing an unprecedented growth, nationally and internationally. Complementing these government-led initiatives, people with dementia are themselves organising and engaging as activists in defining the problem and the terms of the debate. I present an overview of these initiatives and consider their implications for our futures with dementia. Panel Discussion: The Future of Ageing Research The final plenary session will comprise a panel discussion on the future of research into ageing, chaired by Chris Phillipson (Keele University). The session will follow a question and answer format exploring issues relating to priorities for research, strengths and weaknesses of current research, the role of users, issues for funders and related themes. Members of the panel will be: Sally-Marie Bamford (International Longevity Centre-UK), Mark Gorman (HelpAge International), Philly Hare (Joseph Rowntree Foundation) and Peter Lansley (University of Reading). 2 Oral and Symposia Presentations NOTE The time given for each presentation is the time for the session of which it is a part; please refer to the overview in the Conference Handbook for the timing of individual presentations within a session. 3 Stream: Arts and Humanities Date: Wednesday 11 July 2012 Time: 14:00–15:40 Abstract ID: 212 Title: Meaning and spirituality in later life Method: Symposium Author: Malcolm Johnson Institution: University of Bath Co-authors: Paul Higgs Joanna Walker Keith Albans Chair: Malcolm Johnson The purpose of the symposium is to bring together a group of researchers and writers on spirituality and ageing; to distil the latest advances in knowledge and thinking – and to engage in vigorous discussion about how we can interpret this learning for the benefit of older people and those who seek to serve them. New cultures of ageing Paul Higgs (University College London) This paper situates contemporary later life in the social and cultural changes that have made the designation of old age problematic. In particular it argues that the social space that older people now exist in is substantially removed from the worlds of old age that have previously provided the coordinates for organized religion. Utilizing the „Cultures of Ageing‟ as a lens to understand the impact of the generationally-based culture of the Third Age on religious and spiritual practices it argues that many of the assumptions that held together both the „natural‟ and standardized life course have been transformed by the emphasis on agency, choice and lifestyle, which now constitute the desirable objectives of post-work life. This transformation of ageing presents a whole number of challenges for thinking about religion and spirituality. Spiritual development in later life: a learning experience? Joanna Walker (Diocese of Guildford) Is spiritual development something that can be learned and, if so, can it be learned by anyone or only achieved by a few? Or does it develop naturally with age? Are we all on a spiritual journey whether we acknowledge it or not? This paper wishes to argue that learning is an integral part of „spiritual ageing‟ in a number of ways. There appear to be three main arenas for learning that support spiritual ageing: the processes described by human life- long development models; reflection on experience leading to ways of knowing/believing; conscious learning as part of spiritual journeying. Some ways and means for learning opportunities to address these will be briefly suggested. 4 Meeting spiritual needs in old age: older people on the final lap Keith R. Albans (Methodist Homes (MHA), UK) Spiritual needs in older age, and particularly towards the end of life, vary from person to person, but in residential care settings it is vital to encourage all staff to see that they have a role in addressing and meeting these needs. The End of Life Care Strategy encourages meaningful conversation about end of life wishes. This paper will outline an approach to training social care staff that gives them the confidence to become accompanists to older people in their care and advocates for them in working to ensure that their wishes are carried out. It also examines the role of remembering those who have died as a significant means of reassuring residents that their own needs will be addressed when the time comes. Spirituality, biographical review and biographical pain at the end of life old age Malcolm Johnson (University of Bath) As individuals move into the later stages of life, they spend more time in reflection about the life lived. In part this is due to the onset of infirmities, as chronic diseases take their toll on mobility and autonomy. Unchosen solitude and the frustration of a failing body, both prompt recollections of more engaged times and draw attention to the deficits of old age. The evidence of biographical interviews indicates that the predominant self-evaluation is of disappointment, unworthiness and having failed to „come up to expectation‟. To be troubled in this way may be one of the undiscovered norms of old age. But when it is accompanied by profound guilt, anger at the dishonesty, misuse and abuse of others and shame, there is reason to be deeply concerned. This paper will explore the evidence of spiritual self judgement in old age, the conditions in which biographical pain arises and how it might be addressed. 5 Stream: Arts and Humanities Date: Wednesday 11 July 2012 Time: 16:10–17:10 Abstract ID: 179 Title: To what extent is religion a source of empowerment for older women? Method: Oral Author: Sharon Wray Institution: University of Huddersfield In the UK, there has been a lack of attention paid to religion and faith within mainstream gerontology and the sociology of ageing. Few studies have sought to examine how older women perceive and experience religion and the impact this has on their life-satisfaction and self-fulfilment. Most of the research in this area is American and whilst this provides interesting insights it does not build knowledge and understanding of the UK context. Consequently, the extent to which religion may act as a source of empowerment for older women has been neglected. This paper questions the extent to which religious belief and faith empower older women to cope with difficult life events and circumstances. It presents findings from two qualitative research projects that set out to explore older women‟s quality of life across ethnic and cultural diversity. The findings suggest religion plays an important role in the lives of older women. For example religion was used to prevent loneliness, gain „peace of mind‟, build social support networks, and as a source of comfort for those who had been widowed. The paper concludes by arguing for approaches to the study of ageing that are sensitive to the potential impact of religious belief on the everyday lives of older women. 6 Stream: Arts and Humanities Date: Wednesday 11 July 2012 Time: 16:10–17:10 Abstract ID: 159 Title: Contemporary visual art and the well-being of older people: policy and practice Method: Oral Author: Anna Goulding Institution: Newcastle University Co-author: Andrew Newman This paper presents the initial findings of „Contemporary visual art and the wellbeing of older people: policy and practice‟, funded by a Follow-on Fund grant from the ESRC (Jan 2012-Jan 2013). The aim is to build upon the results of a previous project „Contemporary visual art and identity construction – wellbeing amongst older people‟ and produce research-informed arts policy and arts interventions designed to improve the lives of older people.