Malcolm Payne
@malcolmp25.bsky.social
Social work academic: social work history, theory, social policy, end-of-life care. Hon Prof, Kingston University, formerly St Christopher's Hospice Director, Psychosocial & Spiritual Care.
Malcolm Payne, is a retired English academic and writer in the field of social work. He is best known for his Modern social work theory textbook, which is in its fourth edition. He is an Adviser at St Christophers Hospice, London, Emeritus Professor of Community Studies, Manchester Metropolitan University, and Honorary Professor, Kingston University St Georges Medical School. He was made an honorary Fellow of the University of Chichester in 2005. .. more
Public Health
27%
Education
26%
Embracing a new season: Making the most of winter
As the days get colder, winter can pose new challenges—but with the right strategies, it can also be a season of comfort and renewal. Learn how to stay active safely, nurture social connections, and c...
www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org
Research based info on how older people can look after themselves and make the best of winter - from a Canadian organisation so they're likely to know!
www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/hitting-the-...
www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/hitting-the-...
Tracking with care: The ethics of using location tracking technology with people living with dementia
Continuous tracking using real-time location systems is becoming increasingly common in hospitals and long-term care homes, raising questions about ethics and data use.
theconversation.com
Article about tracking tech in care homes. Does it benefit older people wearing the, sometimes uncomfortable, trackers? Doubtful, because staff don't have have the time to analyse the health data that might be useful. It mainly calms staff & Family anxieties.
theconversation.com/tracking-wit...
theconversation.com/tracking-wit...
Writing builds resilience by changing your brain, helping you face everyday challenges
Resilience is often presented as feats of bravery and endurance. But everyday practices like journaling, drafting a text or even writing a to-do list are manifestations of a capacity to adapt.
theconversation.com
Detailed info on psychological processes help build resilience to life problems, useful for social workers and other advisers.
theconversation.com/writing-buil...
theconversation.com/writing-buil...
3,000 steps per day might slow Alzheimer’s disease
In people at risk for Alzheimer’s disease, researchers linked minimal to moderate physical activity to a 3-to 7-year delay in cognitive symptoms.
www.sciencenews.org
Research based info on how keeping mobile helps delay dementia, useful for social workers and other advisers.
www.sciencenews.org/article/step...
www.sciencenews.org/article/step...
Eating alone linked to poorer nutrition in older adults
Older adults who regularly eat meals alone are more likely to experience poorer nutrition and health outcomes than those who share meals with others, new research […]
news.flinders.edu.au
12 country study suggests for social workers and other advisers how to ask about isolated older people's nutrition.
news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2025/11...
news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2025/11...
Conquering loneliness and isolation as you age
Loneliness and social isolation are challenges that many older adults face, but they are absolutely not insurmountable. By taking these small, deliberate steps, you can find joy in meaningful relation...
www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org
Research based info on combating both loneliness and social isolation for older people, useful for social workers and other advisers.
www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/hitting-the-...
www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/hitting-the-...
New commissioned report calls for national strategy for older prisoners as numbers reach record high
A major new report, in partnership with Recoop: Supporting older people with convictions, is calling for an urgent national strategy to support the rapidly expanding population of older prisoners in E...
www.manchester.ac.uk
New research based report on dealing with older prisoners in UK prisons. Good links to further info.
www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/n...
www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/n...
Adult Social Care: Key facts And figures | The King's Fund
What is social care? How many people deliver social care? How much does social care cost individuals and the state? We answer some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about social care.
www.kingsfund.org.uk
Brief and well-informed info on the British social care system, good illustrations, from King's Fund, authoritative charity.
www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-...
www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-...
Spiritual Abuse and Coercive Control
Spiritual abuse occurs when a person or group uses religion, faith, or spiritual authority to control, manipulate, or harm others. It can happen with…
www.lexology.com
Info useful for social workers and other advisers on legal aspects of spiritual abuse.
www.lexology.com/library/deta...
www.lexology.com/library/deta...
Study Reveals The Surprising Age at Which Your Brain Reaches Its Peak
As your youth fades further into the past, you may start to fear growing older.
www.sciencealert.com
Interesting study shows different abilities peak at different times during your life, some quite late as you age.
www.sciencealert.com/study-reveal...
www.sciencealert.com/study-reveal...
Keep Britain Working: Final report
www.gov.uk
Comprehensive UK government report on helping older and disabled people find and stay in employment; widely applicable ideas, useful forpeople affected, social workers and other advisers.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
3 ways we can “dance" our way to better health
From art to exercise, research explores the health benefits of dance and dancing.
www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org
Research based info on how dance can, like many arts activities, help older people live healthier lives; useful for older people, social workers and other advisers.
www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/blog/detail/...
www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/blog/detail/...
Staying steady: Small steps for big impact this Fall Prevention Month
November is Fall Prevention Month — a reminder that staying steady doesn’t mean slowing down. Simple habits like daily movement, proper footwear, and a safe home setup can go a long way in preventing ...
www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org
Useful research based info on preventing falls, Useful for older people, social workers and other advisers.
www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/hitting-the-...
www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/hitting-the-...
England should learn lessons in social care reform from Scotland and Wales | Public Finance
William Burns, social care policy adivsor at CIPFA, explores whether a National Care Service could deliver sustainability for the troubled sector in England, and looks elsewhere in the UK to learn les...
www.publicfinance.co.uk
A local government finance view on how a national social care service would work. Interestingly compares Scotland, Wales and England.
www.publicfinance.co.uk/opinion/2025...
www.publicfinance.co.uk/opinion/2025...
Self-neglect and capacity: Insights from recent regulatory and safeguarding adult reviews
Self-neglect represents one of the most challenging areas of adult safeguarding practice, sitting at the complex intersection of individual autonomy…
www.lexology.com
Useful summary on adult safeguarding reports that went wrong on self-neglect; legal & practice points.
www.lexology.com/library/deta...
www.lexology.com/library/deta...
Malcolm Payne
@malcolmp25.bsky.social
· Oct 30
Spotting the signs of domestic abuse in older people | Essex County Council
Campaign aims to encourage friends, families, carers and professionals to know the signs and seek support.
www.essex.gov.uk
Useful practical things to look out for on abuse of older people
www.essex.gov.uk/news/2025/sp...
www.essex.gov.uk/news/2025/sp...
Malcolm Payne
@malcolmp25.bsky.social
· Oct 28
Would you really trust a robot to care for you in old age?
It sounds like something from a sci-fi film - but some scientists believe this clever new tech could help alleviate strains on the UK care system
www.bbc.co.uk
A really thoughtful and detailed accounts of progress and difficulties in using robots in care for older people.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
