This briefing examines the case of Ireland and how, as one of the first Age Friendly Countries (according to the World Health Organisation), it is approaching the delivery of age-appropriate homes for its increasingly older population. Read this briefing here (members only).

This paper from the Social Care Institute for Excellence (UK) and partners focuses on some of the biggest challenges that affect housing in later life and on the improvements which could make a significant difference to the health and wellbeing of an ageing population. Read this briefing here (members only).

Cork City Council’s initiative facilitating downsizing from larger homes to free up social and private housing by providing age-friendly accommodation has won numerous awards. Read about it here (open access).

As a country affiliated with the World Health Organization’s ‘Age Friendly Programme’, Ireland has been working to develop age-friendly towns across the country. This briefing outlines the type of work being carried out by councils as part of the initiative and signposts some helpful resources for those looking to make their area more age-friendly. Read this briefing (free access).

Over the past two decades, Britain’s high streets have been in decline as consumer behaviour has changed and economic pressures are causing retailers to close their shops. Can older generations be one of the key factors in shaping the reinvention of the high street, and what provisions might they need? Read this briefing (members only).

With their remit for wellbeing, public health, and community development, councils have a central role to play in promoting age friendly communities. The case studies here provide lessons as to how this might be done effectively.  Read this briefing here (free access).

In late 2019, following discussions between Limerick Age Friendly Programme and The Irish Hospice Foundation, Limerick City & County Council decided to launch “Putting Your House in Order”; a series of workshops for attendees to explore end-of-life preferences for topics such as care, finance, and legal arrangements. Read this article here (open access).

Brisbane City Council recently committed to creating a dementia-friendly city – but what does this mean? This briefing explores what it means to be ‘dementia-friendly’ and what local governments can do to support people living with dementia in their communities. Read this briefing here (members only).

Feelings of loneliness and social isolation are particularly acute for older people. How can councils combat loneliness? This briefing summarises recent research on this critical issue and considers the effects of loneliness on health and services. It also looks at the evidence for different interventions. Read this briefing here (members only).

In 2018, the Healthy and Positive Ageing Initiative (HaPAI) launched a set of Local Indicators for Ireland. In this briefing, we give background to the research and focus on some of the points and issues discussed in three useful areas for local government: participation, active ageing, and security. Read this briefing here (free – sign in to access).

In this article, Fingal County Council fills us in on their award-winning ‘Kaleidoscope Intergenerational Project’, which brings together 4-year-olds and senior citizens for the benefit of both. Read it here (free access – sign in required).

We visited South Tyneside, England, to sit in on a Dementia Friends training session for councillors and to learn about the measures the Council is taking to become a dementia-friendly local authority. Read this article here (open access).

Recognising that local government’s engagement with older people extends far beyond aged care and accommodation, this briefing provides examples of a number of different ways in which local governments in Australia engage with older people. Read this briefing here (members only).

Dr Emer Coveney, National Programme Manager for Age Friendly Ireland, tells us how listening to and understanding the specific problems older people have faced during the Covid-19 lockdown has shaped the work of Age Friendly Ireland. Read this article here (open access).

This briefing highlights the growing importance of digital technology in helping a wide range of people to remain independent in their own homes and to be served or supported in achieving independent living. Read this briefing here (members only).

Pauline Waddell, Team Manager, Mobile Emergency Care Service (MECS) explains how Falkirk Council safeguarded a lifesaving service and became the first local authority in Scotland to enable end-to-end digital telecare. Read this article here (open access).

This briefing contains some good practice from Ireland that we think will be useful and interesting for local authorities in Scotland. It describes the role that the Healthy and Positive Ageing Initiative has played in developing evidence to inform changes in practice and policy at national and local level. Read this briefing here (members only).

This briefing describes the role that the Healthy and Positive Ageing Initiative, working in collaboration with the Age Friendly Cities and Counties programme, has played in developing evidence to inform changes in practice and policy at national and local level. Read this briefing (members only).