The experience of 'ageing in place' over time: a longitudinal perspective

By 2030, two thirds of the world's population will be living in cities, with the major urban areas in the developed world likely to have 25% or more of their population aged 60 and over. Yet, the evidence suggests that older people remain among the most excluded groups living in urban communities (UN-Habitat, 2010). 'Ageing in place' policies have been widely adopted to reduce the pressures of ageing populations on health and social care services in cities. This approach is aimed at enabling older people to maintain independence whilst receiving support from the community in which they may have lived for a substantial part of their life (Smetcoren, 2015). To date, however, there is only limited knowledge about the range of benefits and limitations associated with ageing in place, with few studies exploring what 'ageing in place' means to older people themselves (Wiles, 2011). To advance our understanding of this issue, this study will use qualitative longitudinal data to explore older people's experiences of ageing in place. Four research questions will be addressed:
1. What are the origins, objectives, and characteristics of 'ageing in place' policies?
2. What do biographical accounts and longitudinal qualitative data tell us about the ways that older people age in place over time?
3. How does the experience of 'ageing in place over time' differ across contrasting urban neighbourhoods?
4. How can evidence from research support the implementation of policies and practices relating to ageing in place?

The research is divided into three strands. Strand A assesses evidence for the characteristics of 'ageing in place' policies through, first, a systematic literature review; second, a documentary analysis of Greater Manchester's devolution agenda on health and social care; and, third, the development of a conceptual model drawing together disparate bodies of knowledge.

Strand B explores the theme of time. Data for this strand come from the Step-Change project which is archived with Timescapes. It focuses on history interviews with 70 people aged 50 and over, living in four different locations in Greater Manchester. Also, longitudinal data, which include follow up interviews (40 participants in Wave 2 and 32, in Wave 3), completed over a four-year period. The analysis will be conducted at two levels. Firstly, cross-sectional analysis will reveal contrasting experiences of ageing in place at a particular moment in time for the sample as a whole. Secondly, the longitudinal analysis will allow for an understanding of how particular narratives develop over time in the context of neighbourhood change versus stability.

Whilst the focus of strand B is on the temporal aspects of ageing in place, Strand C explores place dimension, i.e. the contextual influences (community change, migration, neighbourhood characteristics) on the experience of ageing in place over time. This strand will reveal whether and how this experience varies between different urban neighbourhoods, exploring the interplay between individual change and community change in four contrasting locations in Greater Manchester: Crumpsall and Ancoats (characterised by high levels of deprivation and rapid population change) and Hale and Chorlton (affluent neighbourhoods with relatively stable populations). Two contextual influences on the experience of ageing in place over time will be explored in-depth: the neighourhood's socio-economic status and population turnover, identified as crucial for understanding older people's experiences of ageing in place (Buffel et al., 2014).

In exploring the issue of ageing in place through qualitative longitudinal research, the research will break new ground, both in the development of a conceptual framework for understanding ageing in place over time in urban settings, and in providing the knowledge necessary for addressing a priority area in social policy relating to neighbourhood-based support for older people.

The programme has significance for a wide range of non-academic and academic research users. The role of a Research Advisory Board (RAB) is to assist with the design, dissemination and impact of the research. The group will provide external advice and scrutiny throughout the research programme and will be informed through regular research briefings circulated every three months, about project developments and findings. The role of the RAB is to advise on the project as a whole on theoretical advances and methodological issues. The Board will include experts coming from different disciplines who either lead or advise on issues relating to ageing and/or urbanisation. The following have agreed to be involved in the RAB: Professor Mike Savage (Sociology, LSE), Professor Chris Phillipson (Sociology/Social Gerontology, Manchester), Professor Jeanette Edwards (Anthropology, Manchester), Dr Andrew Miles (Sociology, Manchester), Dr Niamh Moore (Sociology, Edinburgh) and Dr Kahryn Hughes (Sociology, Leeds). Alongside the RAB, we propose to set up a Policy Advisory Group (PAG) comprised of expert stakeholders from the public, private and voluntary sector, who either lead or advise on issues relating to ageing policies and practices. Paul McGarry (Manchester City Council, see letter of support) and John Hannen (Programme Manager Ambition for Ageing, Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation), have agreed to be on the PAG and will help establish contacts with other stakeholders in Greater Manchester. The PAG will meet every six months, to share interim findings, and attend the final workshop.

The project will hold two 'open seminars' supported by existing networks, including the Manchester Urban Ageing Research Group (MUARG, led by Co-I Buffel) linked to the Manchester Institute for Collaborative Research on Ageing (MICRA) which promotes interdisciplinary and innovate research to bridge the gap between academic research and policy and practice. The purpose of the seminars would be to invite non-academic audiences to discuss current research and policy issues surrounding ageing in place (see J. Garsden, MICRA, letter of support).
A website and a blog will be established early in the programme of research and will serve as a platform for publishing the subsequent information about the project's results and events. The website will be hosted by the University of Manchester and be advertised through existing networks (see J. Garsden, MICRA, letter of support) and contacts through the PAG.
Findings from the research will be disseminated through two conference papers (which may include, the British Sociological Association, European Sociological Association, British Geographical Society) and three articles in high impact factor journals, including:
1. A conceptual paper on ageing in place over time in urban environments, drawing together disparate bodies of knowledge (Ageing and Society, Sociological Review)
2. A paper reporting qualitative longitudinal research findings on older people's experiences of ageing in place over time (Journal of Aging Studies, Journal of Qualitative Research)
3. An empirical paper exploring variations in the experience of ageing in place over time across urban neighbourhoods (Sociological Review, Sociology Online)
It is expected that the research will make a significant impact in developing theoretical and empirical understandings of the dynamics of ageing in place. Key long-term impact from the project will include the publication of a policy based report on ageing in place over time. A one-day workshop, supported by MICRA and Manchester City Council, will be held at the end of the project to share findings and to discuss the implications of the research with a range of stakeholders interested in developing age-friendly communities. The project researchers will utilize their contacts through the PAG and with international organisations to maximize impact and dissemination of the research.