See also research – social care and research – social care (continued)
See also research – health and research – health (continued)
Dementia-friendly walks evaluation I & II: Paths for All (2017-2018)
This evaluation project explored the second year of the dementia-friendly walking project. Paths for All were keen to obtain views of people living with dementia, their carers and other walk attendees regarding their experiences of attending the walks. Approximately 100 group projects are currently taking place across Scotland, with up to 500 walks per week. Of these groups, 23 are dementia friendly walking group projects. Our aim was to evaluate the current progress on the dementia friendly walks aspect of Paths for All, the experiences and perspectives of people living with dementia in relation to the walking activities, areas of improvement for walking groups, and progress towards project outcomes set by the project funder, Life Changes Trust. The goals of the evaluation are:
to explore experiences of attending dementia friendly walks as organised by walking for health groups within the Paths for All programme:
- to explore landscapes where walks are taking place;
- to explore social interactions taking place between attendees;
- to identify benefits, facilitators and challenges regarding attending dementia friendly walks from the perspective of people living with dementia;
- to identify gaps and make recommendations for provision of dementia friendly walks in the future.
Keywords: dementia, physical activity, social health
Project report 2017: Dementia-friendly walks evaluation: Stage I
Stage II report 2018: Link currently unavailable
Related publications: Paths for All (website)
Contributed by: Jane Robertson, Grant Gibson – University of Stirling
A good life in later years: a co-produced research project (2017)
The ‘A Good Life Project’ evolved as a co-production study looking at quality of life in later years. Funded by the Life Changes Trust, and in partnership with Age Scotland, researchers from the University of Stirling worked with 28 volunteer community researchers across five community research teams in Scotland to explore what really matters to people as they grow older.
This project utilised a co-production approach that facilitated research not just about people but research that was conducted with them. The findings presented in this report were researched by five community researcher teams, alongside researchers from the University of Stirling. The co-production approach encouraged an equal partnership during the data collection, analysis and dissemination of findings. This co-produced information was gathered through three key methods: visual images; focus groups; and a survey.
The report provides an in-depth look at what really matters to people in later life. The conclusions are drawn from an analysis of visual representation, focus groups and a survey. The research explored what older people think is needed to achieve and maintain a good life, as well as how a good life might differ if an individual finds themselves developing a long-term condition (including dementia), or if they become a carer.
A national survey to explore perspectives on what matters most to people aged 50 years and over in Scotland was developed from analysis of visual images and focus group discussions that explored the essence of a good life in later years and what is needed to achieve this.
Working with volunteer community researchers, the project has extended our understanding of the role of housing in the quality of life of older people. This builds on the success of the Quality of Life in Later Years (‘A Good Life’) project that developed innovative co-production methodology and produced significant findings about quality of life for older people in Scotland.
Keywords: ageing, older people, community researchers, co-production, what matters
Research report: A Good Life in Later Years: A Co-Produced Research Project. Life Changes Trust 2017
Related publications: Age, home and community: analysis of Age Scotland’s housing project. Scottish Government, Age Scotland 2018
Funder information: https://www.lifechangestrust.org.uk
Contributed by: Corinne Greasley-Adams, Jane Robertson, Grant Gibson, Vikki McCall – University of Stirling; Age Scotland Community Researchers
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