Research Programmes

The Global Ageing Network is ideally positioned to provide leadership and structure for an international research agenda. Key areas of interest are the longterm care workforce and technology

Long Term Care Workforce

IAHSA is working together with the Institute for the Future of Aging Services (IFAS) to conduct a cross-national study of the long-term care and home care paraprofessional workforce in countries throughout Europe.
The project has two primary goals:

1. To help better describe this sector of the European aging services workforce and to better understand the issues these workers face and how these issues differ across countries.
2. To examine the ways in which health care products and equipment can aid and enhance the daily tasks of this workforce as they care for elders.

The project consists of a Web-based survey, focus groups and telephone interviews with long-term care and home care service providers in various countries including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany.

The project is being funded by the Invacare Corporation, the world's leading manufacturer and distributor of home medical equipment.

Technology

The use of technology to support and enhance the health, safety and social connectedness of older people is a very important element in ensuring quality of life as people age. The Global Ageing Network plays an important role on two very important levels:

1. IAHSA/CAST Affiliated Action Networks
   IAHSA and the Center for Aging Services Technology (CAST) developed a global network of organizations that seek to expand the use of technology to address the needs of the ageing society around the globe. Our Chapters in countries around the world are working together to establish the CAST Affiliated Action Networks with a vision that technologies can improve the quality of life for seniors while reducing health care costs.
   
   
   The CAST Affiliated Action Network is composed of ageing services providers, technology companies, research institutions and other stakeholders. Its mission is to provide leadership in the development, evaluation and adoption of technologies that will transform the ageing experience in their respective region. The CAST Affiliated Action Network has areas of focus that are of high priority for ageing services technologies in their region which may be synergetic with CAST's focus areas.
2. Middleware Platform for eMPOWERing Cognitive Disabled and Elderly
   IAHSA was invited to participate in the EU funded project to define an open platform to simplify the task of developing and implement technological advances. We offer input on the user requirements for the technologies and provides a forum through which the results of the research can be distributed globally.

More Information

If you are interested in partnering with IAHSA on an international research project, please contact Virginia Nuessle.