Ageing

An elderly person looking through a photo album

Our research on ageing examines how psychological and sociological factors shape ageing, older age, and the end of life. We see health in later life as broader than physical health; it includes social relationships, having a valued role in the community, and experiencing meaning in life.

Ageing research in our School often takes a critical and life course perspective. This means that we look outside of individuals to understand how later life is shaped by the structures of our society, by cultural expectations, and by the resources people have.

Current research includes:

  • Ageing well in migrant communities
  • Ageing in place in a transnational context
  • Benefits of community grandparenting
  • Capabilities perspective to quality of life in old age
  • Combining work and care in later life
  • Environmental (housing, neighbourhood cohesion) support for ageing
  • Experiences of dying of cancer without hospice services
  • Experiences of seeking assisted dying
  • Extending working lives and developing sustainable work
  • Intergenerational equity
  • Negotiation of ageing in intercultural relationships

Staff working in this area

Mary profile picture

Dr Mary Breheny

Supervisor

School of Health

Worksafe New Zealand Chair in Health and Safety
School of Health

Associate Professor of Health Promotion
School of Health

Senior Lecturer
School of Health

Jessica Young

Senior Research Fellow
School of Health

Post Doctoral Research Fellow
School of Health