Towards Common Ground

                                                                    By Amy Swan, Policy Officer

                                                                           From Help The Age

Help the Aged launched its 'Towards Common Ground' campaign, challenging central and local governments to create 'lifetime neighbourhoods', which cater for the needs of people of all ages,including older people.

Local communities are in steady decline with new research showing one in four older people think their community has changed for the worse in the last 10 years. As part of our campaign, we are launching Towards Common Ground: a manifesto for lifetime neighbourhoods, outlining 10 minimum requirements for successful neighbourhoods and communities which must be met to ensure older people can live healthy, active lives, contributing to and taking part in their own community.

These include:

*       Lifetime homes - new homes built and existing homes adapted to lifetime standards;

*       Transport options - to meet the needs of all older people including those with mobility problems;

*       Pavements in good repair - older people can fear falling or tripping on uneven pavements;

*       Public toilets - vital for older people suffering from incontinence,

        without them people are often forced to be housebound;

*       Public seating - places to rest mean older people can stay out for longer and enjoy public spaces;

*       Safe streets - good lighting, clean streets and a police presence can encourage more older people to get out & about

*       Shops and services - access to money, healthcare and shops can prevent older people becoming isolated;

*       Places to meet and socialise - important to people of all ages, including older people;

*       Information and advice - on everything from social care to volunteering opportunities;

*       Older people's voices heard - including older people in local decisions affecting them is vital.

http://www.helptheaged.org.uk/en-gb/Campaigns/ci_commong_300408.htm