By Jess Leighton
The Newcastle University State of the Art Lectures kick off this week with Professor Louise Robinson, director of the Institute for Ageing. Starting this showcase of Newcastle’s real-life research impact with a medical field constantly expanding with new challenges seems only fitting.
“Live Better for Longer” is the Institute for Ageing’s ethos, and this is no small challenge. Mental and physical health are two obvious emphases for the team, but they are also working on the broader well-being of older people, including community independence and use of technology. As medicine advances and we live longer, there are many challenges which the Newcastle University Institute for Ageing aims to address; allowing these extra years to be spent independently and in the best health possible.
Ageing research is nothing new for Newcastle – the biggest and most developed ageing cohort study in the world was started here in 2006. The Newcastle 85+ study followed up 1,000 older people and was ground-breaking in the field of ageing, exploring issues from sleep to genetics and diet to eyesight.
Professor Louise Robinson – who has led the unit to attract over £35million in research funding – comes from a Primary Care background, and champions community-based dementia care in particular. While the team explore issues from diagnosis to treatment, there is also a focus on high quality care for those who already have dementia. This research is very sensitive in involving a vulnerable group of patients – but absolutely key to high quality care as well as treatment.
Professor Robinson is speaking on Thursday 12th October from 3-4pm in the David Shaw Lecture Theatre, Newcastle Medical School, and all are welcome to hear more about the current research. More details about the Institute of Ageing’s work is available here.
