Plans for an innovation hub to bring researchers, industry, healthcare providers and the third sector together to develop advances for older people have been unveiled.

The backers of a scheme to create state-of-the-art facilities and a development zone for new ideas say the new Intergenerational Living Innovation Hub could become a global centre for pioneering solutions to the challenges facing people as they age.

The hub is to be centred on the University of Stirling and located in Clackmannanshire. It will be funded as part of the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region deal backed by the UK and Scottish governments, local councils and the university.

The partners say they want to bring together diverse groups of organisations and companies with interests in architecture and design, construction and technology to develop new products and ways of delivering services designed with, and for, older people and people living with dementia.

It’s hoped that local businesses will be joined by start-ups and established organisations which will move teams to the region

The Centre, which will build on the university’s reserach expertise in ageing and dementia – including its global dementia design standards – will also focus on training and developing skills.

Professor Sir Gerry McCormac, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Stirling, said:

“We know that across the world, populations are ageing, disrupting traditional economic and social patterns, and creating demand for new technologies, products and services.

“Thanks to the £7.25m investment in the University of Stirling, provided through the Clackmannanshire Fund, the Intergenerational Living Innovation Hub will put Clackmannanshire at the epicentre of ageing research, breaking new ground in the advances that make a meaningful difference to communities locally, and across the world.”

Read more:  Insight: How music can help dementia patients; One-third of older people feel they are a burden; NCS commissioning reforms ‘do not go far enough’.

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