Join our calls for a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing
At Independent Age, we know just how important it is that there is a champion for people in later life, which is why we’re campaigning for a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing. Campaigns Manager, George Stanbury explains more.
Like at any time of life, ageing comes with ambitions, hopes and dreams. As Campaigns Manager, I regularly speak with older people who share what they want from later life, but the reality is that many aren’t having the retirement they’d hoped for and face challenges they hadn’t expected. For some, that means difficulties accessing the right treatment or care, for others, it’s worrying about having enough money to live well.
These issues can seem difficult to fix when they’re happening to you. At Independent Age, we regularly hear that simply navigating these challenges leaves people feeling exhausted and powerless. Many tell us that they feel resigned to their situation as they know that huge numbers of other older people are facing similar problems. For example, over 2 million people live in poverty in later life. Age UK analysis has found that, from January to March 2022, almost 170,000 hours of home care a week was left undelivered due to a lack of staff.
Morgan Vine, Independent Age: “There is a dangerous stereotype that all older people are living a comfortable and financially secure retirement when the reality is that many are struggling to make ends meet.”
As a charity, we fight to tackle the issues impacting people in later life now, but we know that change is needed to prevent future generations from facing the same problems as they get older. Our society is ageing — in less than 20 years, the UK will be home to over 17 million people over 65. That’s a quarter of the country, and an increase of roughly six million. Without the right planning to manage the issues older people are currently facing and helping them play the part they want in society, it’s inevitable that many of us also won’t have the retirement we hope for.
We need a voice for later life, now and for the future. That’s why we’re joining forces with 70 other organisations, including the Centre for Ageing Better, Age UK and the National Pensioners Convention to lead a campaign calling for a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing.
Dr Carole Easton, Centre For Ageing Better: “At present, we are not prepared for the complex social and policy challenges this demographic change will bring. As a result, the growing inequality in older age groups we are currently seeing will only get worse.”
A Commissioner is sorely needed. Across areas including health, care, housing, business, social security and beyond, they would play a key role in supporting our diverse needs as we age and defending the rights of those in later life.
Independent of government, a Commissioner would amplify and champion the issues that older people face. They would bring together government departments to determine effective solutions and how to deliver them in order to tackle the problems that emerge as we age. An example of this would be to ensure the hundreds of thousands of older people eligible for Pension Credit but not receiving it are given the vital support they’re currently missing out on.
Jan Shortt, National Pensioners Convention: “We believe that older people have the right to choice, dignity, respect, independence and security as integral and valued members of society.”
By identifying and resolving the diverse issues impacting older people now, as well as examining the longer-term problems that an ageing population can face, we believe a Commissioner will ensure that later life is positive for all. We hope that all people will be able to live purposefully and play the part they’d like to in society as they age.
We know that this can be done — Wales and Northern Ireland have both had Commissioners focusing on later life for several years. We believe it’s time for older people in England and Scotland to have a champion at the highest levels of decision-making.
Caroline Abrahams, Age UK: “All the evidence is that the Commissioners for Older People in Wales and Northern Ireland play valuable and constructive roles, so it’s about time all the older people in England benefited too.”
We want the UK to become the best place in the world to grow older, so now’s the time to make it happen.
You can support our campaign by adding your name to our statement of support here.
