Positive Ageing Programme

What does Positive Ageing mean?

Positive ageing refers to a holistic individual, community and ‘whole-of-government’ approach to changing attitudes towards ageing. Particular emphasis is based on the life course approach, highlighting that ageing policy and practice is an issue for all ages and sectors of society.

Research Strategy 2015-2019

In order to help better inform policy responses to population ageing in Ireland, the Healthy and Positive Ageing Initiative (HaPAI) has been established. The HaPAI is a collaborative partnership involving the HSE Health and Wellbeing Division, the Department of Health, the Atlantic Philanthropies and Age Friendly Ireland, with all partners recognizing the value of undertaking research to improve and maintain the health and wellbeing of older people.

The Health Service Executive (HSE), Health and Wellbeing Division has published a ‘Healthy and Positive Ageing for All’ Research Strategy 2015-2019. The purpose of the Research Strategy is to support and promote research that aims to improve people’s lives as they age.

HSE Healthy and Positive Ageing Initiative Research Call 2018 to Increase Physical Activity in Adults 50+ Years

The HSE has awarded a multidisciplinary team of researchers, practitioners and policy makers led by Professor Catherine Woods from the University of Limerick just under half a million euros to undertake a community-based research study aimed at increasing levels of physical activity in adults over 50 years of age in Ireland. The funding was awarded under the Healthy and Positive Ageing Initiative (HaPAI) which is a co-funded programme between The Atlantic Philanthropies, the HSE and the Department of Health to support the development and use of evidence informed decision making at all levels of planning to deliver the objectives of the National Positive Ageing Strategy.

The team’s vision is that adults over 50 years in Ireland will live a more active and healthy lifestyle as a result of being part of the study entitled “‘Move For Life’: An evaluation of a peer mentoring intervention designed to cascade and consequently up-scale existing programmes to help inactive people over 50 years old become more active”.

• Original Community Intervention to Increase Physical Activity Levels in Adults Over 50+ Guidance Notes .pdf (size 733.2 KB)

Positive Ageing Initiative Research Call 2017

The HSE has awarded funding to three research projects under the Research and Awards Call 2017 under the theme Health Inequities and Inequalities as we Age in Ireland.

The funding was awarded under the Healthy and Positive Ageing Initiative (HaPAI) which is a co-funded programme between The Atlantic Philanthropies, the HSE and the Department of Health to support the development and use of evidence informed decision making at all levels of planning to deliver the objectives of the National Positive Ageing Strategy.

The total funding awarded between the three research projects was approximately €525,000.

The successful research projects are:

• Supporting Equity of Older People by Redefining and Refining Assessment of Dementia Inclusive Design of Hospital Spaces.
  Professor Desmond O’ Neill, Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
• Life-course and structural determinants of positive subjective health amongst older adult Travellers and homeless people: A voice-led approach to addressing health inequalities in community care.
  Professor Kieran Walsh, National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG)
• The UP Study - Understanding Inequalities in Palliative Care for Older People and Providing for Future Need.
  Professor Karen Ryan, University College Dublin, (UCD)