Letters from hundreds of Age Concern Chiefs will be reaching the in-trays of council leaders around the country during Age Concern Week (22-29 September), demanding better funding for community services targeted at isolated and vulnerable older people. Many of these services are being squeezed out as once again older people’s needs are given a low priority in council and NHS budgets.

Age Concerns’ plea comes ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review due this autumn, in which the charity wants to see renewed efforts by the Government to tackle poverty and social exclusion. 

Over a million older people in England face severe exclusion, which stems from isolation, poor mental health, crumbling housing, and lack of access to services, activity and support. The Government has spent time and effort on researching and finding solutions to these social problems, but these are being forgotten as priorities move on and budgets get squeezed.

Well-connected, friendly local services – either working in the community or visiting people’s homes - can transform the lives of those who have been cut off. Community transport, impartial advice, shopping schemes, handyperson services and activity centres for older people all offer that little bit of help. This is different to the support offered by social services for the most frail and ill.

For example, a lonely widow who is depressed following bereavement might go one of two ways. With the right help and support, she should be in a better position to cope with her loss, make new friends, and take on fresh challenges. Without it, the risk is much higher that her health will fail and she will soon need expensive health and care services.

Gordon Lishman, Director General of Age Concern England said:

“Disadvantaged older people are hidden behind closed doors. Their voices are often the last to be heard by policy makers and service providers as older people are the last to ask for help or kick up a fuss.

“Our services, which reach out to older people needing support, are plugging an ever-widening gap in provision. If we are to tackle social exclusion effectively other bodies must work with us to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged older people in the UK – starting with proper funding for decent services provided by local authorities and the NHS.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

Age Concern Week is an annual event held across the country to highlight the work of the charity. Age Concern is the largest organisation in the UK working with and for older people.  We support older people through a range of community initiatives. These include information and advice, befriending, day centres, lunch clubs, transport services, home visits, and advocacy services.

 www.ageconcern.org.uk 21st September 2007