Ageing Research Brunel University

Absolutely brilliant day yesterday at Brunel University on an Ageing Research day. My first ever time on this day but seems been going for awhile as I met local elderly residents that have been taking part in research for some time now. There is a research group BORG Brunel Older Research Group of which many are members.  After yesterday's experience I too have joined. B.O.R.G. The day showed how young and old can come together to learn and share together! The day was driven by care and compassion for the older years of our lives. Even though there was scientific input that input did not seem sterile, distant and far removed from the emotional and human to human need for empathetic support. The science and the innovative tools were designed from that care compassion and empathy. With the desire to understand more on ageing there was a desire to improve and strengthen the vulnerable years of all our lives. There can be ways to improve those years and lessen the severity or indeed prevent decline that causes pain in our bodies and minds.  There was an emphasis on loneliness and ways to support in more social interaction.  Even the idea of a Robot companion which I am still not very sure of!! There were ways to rehabilitate after stroke and other illnesses that may weaken our ability to move our joints and muscles and our minds and our nervous system. I had my first experience of using VT virtual reality and was fascinating though somewhat worrying for those watching that may not understand you pressing on unseen buttons in the air and grasping cubes that are not really there.  hhhhh this amused me so much but crikey we are moving more and more to as sort of pseudo Star Trek with technological inventions!  Here are a selection of photos from the day. Including me in VT mode hhhh