Ageing - Living Conditions and Health

Advanced research and education about older people and ageing are pursued in this research area.

Education is offered on all academic levels, from undergraduate courses to international graduate study. Research takes a broad approach, ranging from basic research on the level of cells to studies of older people in a cultural setting. Acquired knowledge can be immediately applied through occupational training and research and development in the nursing and care of older people.

Research
The research area is interdisciplinary. Its unique strength is its proximity to practice in nursing and care and access to databases of large-scale longitudinal population studies.  Basic research includes the study of genetic and environmental factors in ageing, immunology among the oldest old and risk factors in dementia.
The applied research programme studies housing for older people, Home Help services and other community care, the role of friends and family in elder care, ethics and treatment. Projects at the junction of applied and basic research look into the living situation of the oldest old and the provision of care at the end of life. Other studies analyse communication in the living environments of older people, needs assessments, healthcare planning, and oral health issues in older people with dementia. The research is published in refereed journals and a number of research reports.

Cooperation
Research area activities are highly relevant to society and often influential. Cooperation across fields results in innovation and renewal, of which the world-famous longitudinal studies are an excellent example.
Cooperation with other universities on a range of projects in the research area is pursued both nationally and internationally. Cooperation with social services and business occurs primarily on the regional but also on the national levels.

Goals
One of the most important goals for Ageing – Living Conditions and Health is to obtain greater scientific knowledge about older people and ageing. Scholarship shall further our understanding of human ageing and the role of older people in society. It shall also be relevant to the living conditions of old people, not least in terms of the quality of services and healthcare. Important as well is the reinforcement of research and education in order to uphold an international position in the area.