Stakeholder workshop 1:
morning session

This contribution will focus on the recent efforts to improve the coordination of ageing research in Europe. By way of background some of the key reasons why European ageing research needs some coordination will be explored. Then the experiences of two major coordination actions will be discussed: The European Forum on Population Ageing Research and the European Research Area in Ageing. In particular their work on multidisciplinary research priority setting will be emphasised. Then the current work of FUTURAGE, to develop the definitive ageing research road map, will be discussed.

FUTURAGE: aims and aspirations presentation (PDF, 248KB)

Human ageing and longevity are two multifactorial phenomena that can be studied at biological level. Specifically, research in Biogerontology over the years has unraveled most of the various factors that influence ageing and longevity. Emphasis has been given recently to the role of telomeres and the major cellular proteolytic machinery as their manipulation can positively influence the rate of ageing.

Examples of important Biogerontological research activities will be further given from projects financed under the 6th and 7th Framework Programmes of the European Commission. In addition, a road map for European research on molecular aspects of healthy ageing has been established under the framework of the “WhyWeAge” project. Specifically, this project has organized 12 thematic workshops on “Biomarkers of ageing and longevity”, “Vascular ageing”, “Mitochondria and senescence”, “Oxidative stress, protein damage and protein maintenance”, “Telomeres and DNA damage”, “Immunosenescence and inflammation”, “Metabolism”, “Sarcopenia, muscle weakness and physical exercises”, “Skin ageing and elastic tissues”, “Nuclear receptors and Systems Biology”, “Biotechnologies in Biogerontology” and “Clinical Biogerontological studies”. Moreover, a “WheWeAge summit” describing the major outcome from these workshops and proposing some future directions will be held in Brussels later on this month.

Biogerontology presentation (PDF, 536KB)

The presentation reports the preliminary results of the 1st FUTURAGE Scientific Workshop on Social and economic resources, held on the 25th-26th February 2010 in Ancona (Italy). The workshop, which was attended by 37 leading scientist from all over Europe, aimed at identifying future research priorities in this area. After a description of the methodology used to organize and carry out the workshop, the presentation provides an insight on the main issues arisen during the consultation. These relate to four main areas:
a) older people as caregivers;
b) frailty in older age;
c) older people as a socio-economic resource for society (active ageing representing here a major concept, both within and outside the labour market);
d) socioeconomic needs of older people (eg deriving from poverty, abuse etc.).

Cross-cutting issues regarding methodological aspects and infrastructures are also discussed. These refer mainly to the need to pay more attention to advance knowledge on methods and study design, by expanding longitudinal studies and promoting the combination of interdisciplinary as well as of qualitative and quantitative research. Improved data accessibility and increased coordination could also enhance both cross-country data comparability and transferability, especially if sustained by a stronger involvement of relevant stakeholders in designing and conducting studies.

Social and economic resources presentation (PDF, 258KB)

The major aim of research on environments of ageing is the better understanding of the interrelations between ageing persons and their physical-technical-social surroundings (home environments; out-of-home environments; assistive devices, new technology and products) including intervention and implementation studies. A key research challenge is to learn how person-environment relationships shape outcomes such as functional competence, well-being or participation as people age.

A first FUTURAGE workshop in Heidelberg, Germany, aimed to identify core elements of the environments of ageing component of the Roadmap resulted in the following:
(1) General issues – An example is the need to better utilise existing data on person-environment relations all over Europe (including East Europe);
(2) General priorities – An example is the need that person-environment research should follow a life course perspective; in particular, the environment plays a significant role in major life transitions (e.g., retirement, becoming cognitively impaired);
(3) Important research areas – A prime example is the in-depth analysis of the role of private home environments for the full range of older adults including those with cognitive impairment. Highly important is also research targeting the role of environmental optimisation in the context of the European ageing workforce;
(4) Cutting-across areas: Important strategies include the need for interdisciplinary research, the focused consideration of forthcoming cohorts and the strong investment into young scholars from a diversity of disciplines with interest in environments of ageing.

Environments of ageing presentation (PDF, 50KB)

There is no evidence that the trend for rising life expectancy will not be sustained for the foreseeable future. That greater numbers of people are reaching retirement and well beyond should be celebrated, but there are far-reaching implications for individuals, society and governments unless the extra years of life lived are predominantly healthy ones. The first FUTURAGE Workshop under the theme of Healthy Ageing was held in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK from 15-16 March 2010 and was structured around four sub-themes: Monitoring and resolving inequalities in healthy ageing; Interventions for improved health and wellbeing with ageing and co-morbidity; Prevention and promotion of healthy ageing; and Psychosocial factors and healthy ageing. The research priorities and issues that emerged from the groups will be presented. The Workshop concluded that the European Union provides a unique opportunity as a ‘population laboratory’ to document trends in the health of the older population in countries at very different stages and trajectories of increasing life expectancy but also in countries with similarities and differences in attitudes, experiences, delivery of health and social care, and family and social structures.

Healthy ageing presentation (PDF, 116KB)

The user perspective presentation (PDF, 41KB)