 Member news and opinions Does new Inquiry offer hope for the rights of older people? A new Government Inquiry is looking at the rights of older people, and its stated aim is to examine whether ageist stereotyping and discrimination is preventing them from participating fully in society. The short answer to that is a resounding “yes”, but the best hope for this Inquiry would be a formal recognition of the even greater contribution to society that older people could make if those rights were respected. Other stories in this latest mix of news, knowledge and opinion from Age Action Alliance members make those points – not least the current loss to the economy because so many of those who would like to work, indeed need to work, aren’t able to do so because of entrenched attitudes and a lack of retraining and reskilling resources. The narrative around ageing needs to be turned on its head: instead of casting the older generations as vulnerable and dependent, we can play a huge role in getting our economy back on track – given the opportunity… and the voice. In other news, the scale of digital exclusion amongst older people is laid bare by a new Age UK report; the precarity of life for a large swathe of older people is exposed in a new report from Independent Age; there’s an excellent blog from members IncomeMax on the “punitive, complex and soul-destroying” nature of Work Capability Assessments; and Age UK London’s survey on life for older Londoners makes for riveting reading. At the end of September, I was the “older consumer” in the room at the Laing & Buisson Retirement Housing Conference in London, putting across the changes we think are needed for the sector to start fulfilling its potential: an “ahead of the event” taster of what I said is below. But the big takeaway from all of the speakers was that Government, at a national and local level, needs strategies in place to deal with our ageing society – and a planning regime which recognises the critical role that a good choice of specialist housing can play in reducing the burdens on health and social care, as well as releasing homes for younger people. In other words, some joined up thinking to replace the silo working we currently see is badly needed. There is hope that the Older People’s Housing Taskforce has got this message and will be passing it onto the powers that be. So, definitely a “glass half full” sort of month. Finally, a reminder that most weekdays I send out a digest of news on later life culled from the world’s media. You can read a recent edition Today’s Later Life AGEnda (mailchi.mp) – do feel free to subscribe to having free copies sent to your mail box! And a list of our current membership can be found here: I would love to share more of your news and knowledge on the busy and hugely popular website – now a unique resource for later life issues – and in future newsletters. Do drop me a line! We’d love to do more research work too, on later life employment and housing particularly, and if anyone reading this wants to get involved or to help fund work that could inform their policies and services, please get in touch with me at info@theageactionalliance.org. We would also (warmly!) welcome sponsors for our website and daily newsletters. Tony Watts OBE, Editor |
