Press Release
High Time Councils Included Older People In Their Communities, Says Help The Aged
17 July 2008
Responding to the Audit Commission report, Don’t stop me now – Preparing for an ageing population, which shows that councils in England are not ready to meet the challenges of an ageing population, Belinda Wadsworth, Regional Policy Manager at Help the Aged, says:
“It’s a real worry that in an increasingly ageing society, many local councils are struggling when it comes to catering for the needs of older people in their area. Although the findings of this report are incredibly disappointing, unfortunately they are not particularly surprising – older people often tell Help the Aged that they routinely feel ignored and let down by their local council(1).
“Councils have a stereotypical and somewhat narrow view of older people and their needs - they often lump anyone over 50 into a group of people who need health and social care services. If you’re looking for local tap-dancing lessons, it must be very frustrating to be put through to social services just because of your age. When older people are asked for their views, it seems they’re often not listened to, with many older people’s forums developing consultation fatigue. There is more to consultation than a council officer turning up to an older people’s group with a power-point presentation.
“The Government’s strategy for older people, ‘Opportunity Age’ is fast becoming a ‘one step forward, two steps back’ scheme. If it really is to create opportunities for older people, it must become more than a half-hearted, tick-box measure. Local authorities need to take a lead - by getting older people involved in decision-making, changing the culture of their full range of services to be more accessible to an ageing population and leading the way in positively dispelling myths and stereotypes about older people.”
The Help the Aged ‘Towards Common Ground’ campaign, challenges central and local government to create ‘lifetime neighbourhoods’, which cater for the needs of people of all ages, including older people.
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