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Health, Independence and Mobility

The Healthy Later Living Network aims to improve people's quality of life by helping older adults maintain their health, mobility and independence for longer.

The Importance of Health, Independence and Mobility

Maintaining independence and mobility is important for social interactions, mental health and physical wellbeing. However, moving into later life, independence and mobility can decrease.


An older man opening his front door

The Healthy Later Living Network works with external partners from the health and social care, public, and third sectors to address the challenges in this area. By engaging with these organisations and with older adults directly, the network can better understand the needs, priorities, and challenges for maintaining independence and mobility and address these through collaborative research.

In parallel, our researchers are working with health and social care organisations, and the housing, retirement, and care sectors, to address the implications of declining independence and mobility from a policy and service-needs perspective.


Our research

Our research exploring health, independence and mobility.


  • Exercise medicine and the prevention of non-communicable diseases
  • Behavioural science
  • Orthopaedic (musculo-skeletal) engineering​
  • Rehabilitation, falls and balance
  • Mental health in older adulthood​
  • Assistive technology​
  • Sensory and cognitive impairment​
  • Socio-economic determinants
  • Health services
  • Preventing lifestyle linked diseases
  • Wearable technologies

Our projects

Our projects from the Healthy Later Living Network relating to health, independence and mobility.


Fastball EEG
Psychologists from the University have developed a revolutionary approach to early Alzheimer's diagnosis. This innovative research involves participants viewing a series of flashing pictures on a computer, whilst wearing an EEG cap which measures their brainwave activity. More on this project.

Exercise Snacking for Falls and Memory Clinic Inpatients
Working with the Research Institute for Care of the Elderly Centre in Bath to explore the acceptability of a 28-day homebased exercise snacking in outpatients attending the memory clinic. This study will improve understanding of how zero-cost exercise strategies can potentially improve muscle function and delay frailty of older adults.

REtirement in ACTion (REACT) study
This study looks to assess the effectiveness of a physical activity intervention designed to reduce mobility disability in older people. More on this project.


Our academics

Academic staff from many disciplines across the University of Bath are engaged in research which impacts Healthy Later Living.


The following academics are involved in this research theme:

See our team page for a full list.

Contact us

If you would like more information about the work we are doing and how to get involved please get in touch.