The purpose of this paper is to relate the growing body of evidence about the impact of creative arts on the health and well-being of older people to the debate about active…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to relate the growing body of evidence about the impact of creative arts on the health and well-being of older people to the debate about active ageing, prevention and demographic change.
Design/methodology/approach
It draws on a range of researched examples in order to illustrate the impact of three different art forms – singing, dance and visual arts – on health and well-being.
Findings
The evidence exists in increasing volume and diversity that creative arts not only improve personal feelings of well-being but also key physiological measures. The arts are increasingly recognised as playing a major potential role in the delivery of health and social care interventions. Greater recognition and action are needed from policy makers, commissioners and care providers in health and social care that the arts are not a marginal and elitist avenue but a mainstream tool supporting older people to remain active, healthy and independent. Importantly, they represent a powerful source of motivation, agency and confidence.
Social implications
It argues that creative arts should become an integral and more prominent part of ageing policy. The evidence exists in increasing volume and diversity that creative arts not only improve personal feelings of well-being but also key physiological measures. The arts are increasingly recognised as playing a major potential role in the delivery of health and social care interventions. Greater recognition and action are needed from policy makers, commissioners and care providers in health and social care that the arts are not a marginal and elitist avenue but a mainstream tool supporting older people to remain active, healthy and independent. Importantly, they represent a powerful source of motivation, agency and confidence.
Originality/value
An important research challenge remains, namely to plot cause (arts intervention) and effect (reduced demand on health and care services), if the creative arts are to occupy a central place in commissioning investment at a time of acute financial stringency in the public sector.
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Help the Aged Director of Policy and External Communications Paul Cann discusses how policy‐makers and local government need to listen to the voice of older people when designing…
Abstract
Help the Aged Director of Policy and External Communications Paul Cann discusses how policy‐makers and local government need to listen to the voice of older people when designing the communities we live in. He highlights how simple, joined‐up thinking can make a big difference to older people's lives.
The article discusses how policy‐makers and local government need to listen to the voice of older people when designing the communities we live in. It highlights how simple…
Abstract
The article discusses how policy‐makers and local government need to listen to the voice of older people when designing the communities we live in. It highlights how simple, joined‐up thinking can make a big difference to older people's lives.
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The dramatic ageing of societies will not be addressed successfully by generalised policies for all older people, but by concerted action to tackle major inequalities in income…
Abstract
The dramatic ageing of societies will not be addressed successfully by generalised policies for all older people, but by concerted action to tackle major inequalities in income, health and well‐being and social inclusion. Such approaches must form part of a life course strategy which deals with disadvantages owing to gender, ethnicity and socio‐economic origins and uses mid‐life and retirement as windows of opportunity. Paradoxically, the current economic difficulties cause the right conditions for a new drive to reduce unequal ageing. A concordat is needed across state, business, voluntary sector and media if it is to be a realistic possibility.
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This paper describes the findings from 89 focus groups held with 505 young (13‐39 years) and middle‐aged (40‐59 years) adults in the UK, Ireland, Spain, France, Slovakia and…
Abstract
This paper describes the findings from 89 focus groups held with 505 young (13‐39 years) and middle‐aged (40‐59 years) adults in the UK, Ireland, Spain, France, Slovakia and Sweden.There were many similarities across all countries and most differences were between the different age groups, rather than the different countries. Five major themes were identified from the comparative data: views of dignity; old age and ageing; views of older people's lives; across the generations and adding dignity to older people's lives. Many of these findings confirmed those of the focus groups with older people and health and social care professionals. Dignity was important to people of all ages but particularly to older people. Being treated as an individual was critical for the maintenance of dignity. In the participating countries older people were generally treated negatively and undervalued and seen as vulnerable, second‐class citizens.Old age was perceived as a time of physical and mental deterioration, poverty and dependency. Intergenerational activities were important for both individual self‐esteem and the ability to participate fully in society. Suggestions for enhancing dignity included greater public awareness about the dignity of older people and about existing care and support services for them. Health policies should tackle ageism in service provision and the development of standards in health and social care for older people could do much to improve dignity.
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This paper aims to describe a number of initiatives to cultivate and attract talent, together with a series of schemes to improve employee well‐being, at Groupama Insurances.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe a number of initiatives to cultivate and attract talent, together with a series of schemes to improve employee well‐being, at Groupama Insurances.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper explains the background to the initiatives and the success they have achieved.
Findings
The paper details initiatives in areas such as talent mapping, career planning, succession planning, employee communications, employee health and wellbeing, and the use of information technology in human resource (HR) management.
Practical implications
The paper reveals that the initiatives have helped the company to earn the Investor in People gold standard.
Social implications
The paper highlights the importance of engaging with employees at every level.
Originality/value
The paper reveals how Groupama HR policies have been adapted to respond to a dynamic business environment.