Giving older people a say

AGEING Well continues to help change attitudes to older people across the bay – but there is a way to go yet.

Torbay already has a higher than average number of over 50s and that number is set to rise topping 50% of the population in the not too distant future. Public service providers need to adapt to the needs of the over 50s and it will mean a change in thinking for some as the views of older people are taken into account.

Early in the New Year Torbay will begin the journey towards age friendly status. That means fostering healthy and active ageing, making it possible for people to continue to stay in their homes, participate in the activities they value and contribute to their communities for as long as possible. It will mean the involvement of older people in the decision-making of all statutory bodies including local government, transport and health. You can’t have more than half the population left out of the decision-making process and that is why Ageing Well is also helping set up the Torbay Over 50s assembly which is due to launch next March. It is through the assembly the views of the over 50s will help shape key decision-making across the bay, something that is already being done in towns and cities across the world.

Age-friendly cities and communities number 705 cities and communities in 39 countries, some 210 million people worldwide.

There are eight key features of age friendly cities, all of them viewed from an older person’s perspective and with older people consulted about them wherever possible.