NEW RESEARCH SHOWS COMMUNITIES ARE ERODING BEFORE PEOPLE’S VERY EYES

30th April, 2008

Help the Aged manifesto will prevent death of community living

Local communities are in steady decline with new research showing one in four older people (25 per cent) think their community has changed for the worse in the last 10 years(1).  The equivalent of nearly three million pensioners also said they are prevented from going out because there is nothing available in their local area.  Leading older people’s charity Help the Aged is today (30th April) launching its ‘Towards Common Ground’ campaign, challenging central and local governments to create ‘lifetime neighbourhoods’, which cater for the needs of people of all ages, including older people.

Help the Aged believes there are 10 minimum requirements which must be met to ensure older people can live healthy, active lives, contributing to and taking part in their own community.  As part of its campaign, the Charity is launching Towards Common Ground: a manifesto for lifetime neighbourhoods, outlining 10 minimum demands for communities.

The Help the Aged research also shows that:

Nearly a third of older people (30 per cent) don’t feel safe walking around their local area at night;
Two fifths* of older people are not within walking distance of a bank, friends and family or health and social services.

Paul Cann, Director of Policy at Help the Aged, says: “Regardless of age, people want to live in an area where they can get everything they need, where they feel safe and where they can do things they enjoy.  That’s why ‘lifetime neighbourhoods’ are so important, not just for older people but for people of all ages.

“In an ageing society where more than a million older people are often or always lonely, it’s essential that communities are set up to reduce isolation in whatever way they can(2).  Simple things such as public toilets, park benches and transport links can make a huge difference to whether or not older people feel confident enough to leave their homes. If local authorities ensure these and the other 10 demands are met, communities will be more age friendly both now and in the future.”

The Help the Aged manifesto outlines clear recommendations for central and local governments to ensure ‘lifetime neighbourhoods’ can become a reality across the UK.  The top 10 requirements identified by the Charity are:

Lifetime homes – new homes built and existing homes adapted to lifetime standards;
Transport options – to meet the needs of all older people including those with mobility problems;
Pavements in good repair – older people can fear falling or tripping on uneven pavements;
Public toilets – vital for older people suffering from incontinence, without them people are often forced to be housebound;
Public seating – places to rest mean older people can stay out for longer and enjoy public spaces;
Safe streets – good lighting, clean streets and a police presence can encourage more older people to get out and about;
Shops and services – access to money, healthcare and shops can prevent older people becoming isolated;
Places to meet and socialise – important to people of all ages, including older people;
Information and advice – on everything from social care to volunteering opportunities;
Older people’s voices heard – including older people in local decisions affecting them is vital.

People wanting to support the ‘Toward Common Ground’ campaign and help make their communities ‘lifetime neighbourhoods’ can visit www.helptheaged.org.uk/campaigns - details available on 30th April.

For a copy of Towards Common Ground: a manifesto for lifetime neighbourhoods, please visit http://policy.helptheaged.org.uk/_policy/default.htm