Later Life

Research Group Leader

Professor Debbie Tolson
Professor of Gerontological Nursing                                                           
 
Tel: +44(0)141 331 3463
Email: d.tolson@gcu.ac.uk

Professor Tolson leads the Later Life Research Group and is the founding Director of the Scottish Centre for Evidence Based Care of Older People: A Collaborating Centre of the Joanna Briggs Institute.  In addition to work with older people, Debbie has an international reputation for implementation science and innovative use of communities of practice to advance evidence informed health care.  Her current, portfolio of externally funded research projects exemplifies her passion for working with older people and for promoting an enriched learning experience in which individuals and care can flourish.  In 2010 her contribution to research with older people was recognised by St Louis University (USA) Medical School through the award of the Jim Flood Memorial Alzheimer Disease Distinguished Lectureship.  She is the Regional Editor for Europe and Africa with the International Journal of Nursing Older People.


Deputy Research Group Leader

Dr Dawn Skelton
Reader in Ageing and Health

Tel: +44(0)141 331 8792
Email: dawn.skelton@gcu.ac.uk

Dr Skelton is Reader in Ageing and Health and Deputy Director of the Scottish Centre for Evidence Based Care of Older People.  She is a commissioned author for the World Health Organisation’s Health Evidence Network and the UK’s Department of Health; and is the Scientific Advisor for the Society for Physical Activity, the Prevention of Osteoporosis, Falls and Fractures, and the British Heart Foundation National Centre for Physical Activity; and is Scientific Co-ordinator of ProFaNE (Prevention of Falls Network Europe) with over 5000 members.  She also runs training courses to move research into practice with allied health professionals and fitness instructors.  Dawn has won a number of awards (Evian Health Progress Award in 1995, Imperial College School of Medicine Research Into Ageing Prize in 1999, and a Distinguished service in clinical / management / educational practice certificate from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists in 2004).  She is a co-investigator on a number of MRC and NIHR grants and her particular interests lie in promoting physical activity and exercise to maintain health and independence.  She is a Section Editor for the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity and sits on the National Osteoporosis Society’s Research Board.

Deputy Research Group Leader

Dr Lyle Gray
Senior Lecturer

Tel: +44(0)141 331 3391
Email: L.S.Gray@gcu.ac.uk

Dr Gray is a Senior Lecturer and a clinically qualified optometrist registered with the General Optical Council.  His research interests are centred around myopia (“short-sight”), amblyopia (“lazy eye”) and binocular vision.  Lyle has published extensively on these topics in numerous high impact journals, and has raised considerable external funding for projects in these areas.  Through his clinical work, and contacts with both ophthalmology and charities for the visually impaired, he has developed interests on the effects of aging upon the eye, and how the can be ameliorated.  He is particularly interested in developing multidisciplinary approaches to visual impairment, which will be key to effective management of this multifaceted condition.

Research Scope

The research activities of the interdisciplinary Later Life Research Group are focussed on three integrated work streams; Promoting Positive Ageing, Managing Age Related Conditions & Syndromes and Improving Health & Social Care.  Evidence synthesis and application is a cross cutting theme demonstrating our commitment to work with NHS, independent and third sector providers to advance health and social care practice.  Our primary objectives are to collaboratively undertake robust research to:-

• develop and evaluate new interventions to promote healthy living, maintain independence, improve quality of life and activity in older adults

• improve effectiveness, clinical significance and quality of health service provision and care for older adults based on the best available evidence

• advance partnership approaches and self care related to the management of age related changes and syndromes of old age

The group benefits from close links with the Scottish Centre for Evidence Based Care of Older People: A Collaborating Centre of the Joanna Briggs Institute.