Media centre

Age Concern calls for a new approach to dialogue with older generations

Many attempts to involve older people in consultations are tokenistic and just a tick-box exercise‚ Age Concern claims. The charity is calling for a new approach to consulting older people in a paper to be published at a conference in London next week (May 23‚ Central Hall‚ Westminster).

“The case for better engagement with older people”‚ written by Age Concern and published by The Consultation Institute‚ underlines how the UK’s ageing population makes it essential to hold meaningful dialogues with older people about all aspects of public policy‚ not just social care‚ the NHS and other predictable priorities.

Andy Kaye‚ Special Projects Manager at Age Concern‚ wrote the paper. He said: "Older people are fed up being consulted‚ only to learn the major decisions they're being consulted on have already been taken.

“Older people want more meaningful engagement‚ and to move on from what they see as 'research for its own sake'.1 With the Local Government White Paper calling on local authorities to involve and consult 'more fully'‚ there is no excuse not to engage older people."

Public bodies and private companies must also acknowledge that the profile of older people is not uniform‚ and that some face multiple barriers to participation in consultations. To overcome these barriers‚ and engage all older people better‚ more innovative methods need to be utilised‚ some of which have been developed within Age Concern.

ENDS
1. Let's Move On‚ Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Notes to Editors

Advance copies of the paper are available to Members of the Institute and to representatives of the media. A small number of press passes for the Seminar may be available upon request.

About The Consultation Institute

Established in 2004‚ the Institute develops and disseminates best practice on all aspects of public participation‚ public and stakeholder consultation. It organises specialist events and training courses‚ all over the UK and Ireland‚ and collaborates with a range of partners‚ including Age Concern.

Contacts:  Sue Oliver‚
Tel 01767 689600; sue@consultationinstitute.org   

About Age Concern
Age Concern is the largest organisation in the UK working for older people.  Everyday we are in touch with thousands of older people‚ enabling them to make more of life. We work in the community to support older people through a range of initiatives. These include information and advice‚ befriending‚ day centres‚ lunch clubs‚ transport services‚ home visits‚ and advocacy services. More information can be found on our website: our website.

Contacts:  Zena Ambrose
Telephone: 020 8765 7513; Email: zena.ambrose@ace.org.uk