Fit for Purpose! Celebrating Longer, Healthier Life and Getting Engaged: or a look at a 5 year old strategy Jill Manthorpe

London focus Lower proportions of older people than the rest of England Slower growth of numbers of older people: some parts have declining numbers One in three older Londoners live alone Fewer are in residential care, more get home support More in work Growing ethnic diversity (12% to 23% by 2021) Inner London core: poorer, worse health, more alone Differences eg mortality: men range, women

Accounting for London differences Outward migration especially of older couples, and when people need care Inward migration of younger people High cost of living and of housing Excellence with scarcity e.g. of primary care health services

Making London an Age Friendly City London Older Peoples Assembly London Better Government for Older people Network/ London Councils London Older Peoples Strategy Group (200 groups in coalition) Greater London Forum Role of Mayor of London And here we are !

Valuing Older People: the Mayor of Londons Older Peoples Strategy 2006 Key points Not just seeing older people as a problem Not just seeing ageing as an issue for health and social services Setting up partnerships with government & commercial & community sectors Responsibilities for older people set out (all before the recession)

Mayors strategy (2) Enabling older people to benefit from e- government & information technology (IT) By promoting access to IT, eg in older peoples centres Providing training Making information easier to get & understand Using IT for enjoyable purposes eg culture and leisure

Mayors Strategy (3) Housing and homelessness London high housing costs – how to use capital with less risk, development of Housing Equity Release schemes Renovating and renewing sheltered housing that is not fit for purpose Lifetime home standard Preparing for climate change

Key messages happy and proud : one views about living in London. There are many advantages and, like anywhere, it is home. Becoming an Age Friendly City requires greater partnership working – not just across policy makers & professionals but with older people. Did the Strategy make a difference?

On the agenda Reminder of the grey vote Multi-faceted Potential for new alliances? Reminder to Mind the Gap Holding to account