A Better Life: Valuing our later years Housing LIN Extra Care Housing Annual Conference Imogen Blood 18th February, 2014 London ImogenBlood & Associates

A Better Life programme Older people with high support needs Quality of life Voices of older people

1. A wider conversation about ageing How and where do we all want to live in our later years? Balanced images of ageing Old age is not about ‘them’; it is about all of us

2. ‘See who I am!’ Looking behind the label/ diagnosis Organisations which respond positively to diverse older people Supporting individuals: the little things often matter most

3.Relationships are vital Recognising the importance of existing relationships Support which is based on meaningful relationships Promoting networks; facilitating friendship

4. Making a contribution What can you offer? What support do you need to support each other?

5.Equal citizens Housing rights Human rights Equality Act 2010 Welfare and pensions reform: a clear social contract? Are lower income self-funders on our radar?

6. ‘Hear our voices!’ What does ‘a good life’ mean to me? How can I change things? Who can support me through the ‘maze’ of services and systems? Coming together to share experiences and make a difference

7. Radical but also simple changes Open to new approaches The importance of the ordinary Extra care housing: promoting access, awareness and affordability

For more information… http://www.jrf.org.uk/topic/betterlife To watch a short film by Tony Robinson, download the book and access links to the rest of the Better Life outputs http://www.imogenblood.co.uk/ For more about Imogen Blood & Associates

Group discussion Handouts with 7 challenges as a prompt for discussion: What are the practical steps which your organisation can take to respond to these challenges? What are you (or others) already doing well? Are there personal, as well as professional, actions for you too? Please nominate a spokesperson and feed back the three key points from your discussion