Post by Gazza on Jul 17th, 2008 at 6:45am
Ageing Rolling Stones fans will demand exciting retirements, says Audit Commission
By Martin Beckford, Social Affairs Correspondent
Last Updated: 3:28AM BST 17/07/2008
The baby boomer generation will demand excitement in retirement, according to an official report which claims many councils are unprepared for Britain's ageing population.
REUTERS
Ageing rockers: 'As people live longer, those who can help them stay well and independent, need to be a little more imaginative'
The Audit Commission, the independent public services watchdog, will warn that "ex-punk rockers and Rolling Stones fans" will not be satisfied with a "cup of tea and daytime TV" as they become pensioners.
Its study found that local authorities must do more to cater for Britain's increasingly elderly but independent population, and tailor their services to give older people better information and higher-quality services.
The watchdog said the over-50s will make up more than one in three of the population by next year, but most town halls only focus on providing services for the minority who need home help or care in a nursing home.
Michael O'Higgins, Chairman of the Audit Commission, said: "By 2029 nearly 40 per cent of England's population will be over 50. These are active people, anxious to stay independent as long as possible.
"Despite the stereotypes, only 3 per cent of people aged between 65 and 80 live in residential care. But it's worrying that the councils in areas with the most over-50s are the least prepared to cope with their long-term needs and interests.
"Ex-punk rockers and Rolling Stones fans are not going to be happy with a cup of tea and daytime TV. As people live longer, those who can help them stay well and independent, need to be a little more imaginative."
The Audit Commission carried out a series of tests in which older people contacted 49 councils across the country to ask them about their leisure, education, transport and volunteering services.
It found that 80 per cent of the "mystery shoppers" had to probe for more information, and many were told to contact adult social care services even if they had not need to do so.
In addition, two-thirds of town hall staff referred the callers to a website without checking if they had internet access, while fewer than a third of council officers offered to send out information in the post.
-Daily Telegraph
www.dailytelegraph.co.uk
By Martin Beckford, Social Affairs Correspondent
Last Updated: 3:28AM BST 17/07/2008
The baby boomer generation will demand excitement in retirement, according to an official report which claims many councils are unprepared for Britain's ageing population.
REUTERS
Ageing rockers: 'As people live longer, those who can help them stay well and independent, need to be a little more imaginative'
The Audit Commission, the independent public services watchdog, will warn that "ex-punk rockers and Rolling Stones fans" will not be satisfied with a "cup of tea and daytime TV" as they become pensioners.
Its study found that local authorities must do more to cater for Britain's increasingly elderly but independent population, and tailor their services to give older people better information and higher-quality services.
The watchdog said the over-50s will make up more than one in three of the population by next year, but most town halls only focus on providing services for the minority who need home help or care in a nursing home.
Michael O'Higgins, Chairman of the Audit Commission, said: "By 2029 nearly 40 per cent of England's population will be over 50. These are active people, anxious to stay independent as long as possible.
"Despite the stereotypes, only 3 per cent of people aged between 65 and 80 live in residential care. But it's worrying that the councils in areas with the most over-50s are the least prepared to cope with their long-term needs and interests.
"Ex-punk rockers and Rolling Stones fans are not going to be happy with a cup of tea and daytime TV. As people live longer, those who can help them stay well and independent, need to be a little more imaginative."
The Audit Commission carried out a series of tests in which older people contacted 49 councils across the country to ask them about their leisure, education, transport and volunteering services.
It found that 80 per cent of the "mystery shoppers" had to probe for more information, and many were told to contact adult social care services even if they had not need to do so.
In addition, two-thirds of town hall staff referred the callers to a website without checking if they had internet access, while fewer than a third of council officers offered to send out information in the post.
-Daily Telegraph
www.dailytelegraph.co.uk
