Action on health and care
Record NHS waiting lists, older patients unable to return home from hospital because of the crisis in care, councils lacking the funds to maintain vital services, care homes facing closure through spiralling costs… the cash-strapped health and care sector is struggling to meet the needs of many of those who use it most at a time of rising demand.
As the biggest users of health and care services, older people find themselves in the front line of the battle for the wellbeing of the nation.
So how can the Age Action Alliance make a positive contribution?
By bringing together providers, charities and experts with the very people who rely most on these services, we hope to arrive at workable solutions as well as flag up and make our voices heard on the issues. Topics will include:
- Independent living
- Care options and funding
- Home adaptations
- Maintaining health and wellbeing
- Support and benefits
- Telecare
- Living with dementia
- Health insurance
Get involved
We believe constructive dialogue and informed decision making is always the way forward and so we hope to use this section to provide a forum for debate and a home for helpful information and advice.
If you would like to contribute in any way, do please get in touch by emailing info@theageactionalliance.org.
The Age Action Alliance is supported by
Latest News
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Two million older people now have some unmet need for social care
New Age UK report finds older people are often struggling due to insufficient access to high quality NHS treatment, as well as social care, and that the system is currently under-prepared for population ageing.
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Fixing our dangerous homes “would save billions in health and social care costs”
Fixing the dangerous homes lived in by older people would directly save the NHS and the social care sector more than £1.5 billion a year while delivering billions more in health benefits, newly published research reveals. New analysis from the Centre for Ageing Better reveals how poor-quality housing is incurring huge costs and pressures…
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Older people “at risk of being forced into residential care” due to adaptation delays
A new report from Age UK maintains that older people at risk of being forced into residential care due to massive delays in making adaptations to homes.
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Age UK’s “blueprint for older people” prioritises pension security and health
Age UK’s new report, drawn from nationwide polling, comes in time for the coming UK General Election. It contains 52 separate policy recommendations covering many different aspects of later life.
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With Covid still here, ILC issues plea to support employee vaccinations
Covid has not gone away, and with many older people potentially vulnerable to the effects of Long-Covid, ILC-UK is urging the Government to provide tax incentives to support employers who want to vaccinate their older members of staff.
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How images can help those living with dementia engage with life
When we develop severe dementia and our ability to get out in the real world is limited, pictures, writes Deborah Stone, can play a vital role in engagement. But be careful about the images you show…
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Spring Budget branded a “missed opportunity” to help the poorest pensioners
While the financial pundits pontificate over the finer details of the Spring Budget, and politicians of all colours ponder over its potential impact on the next General Election, the significance for pensioners is clearly… well, insignificant. By Tony Watts OBE.
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Older people’s mental health “being overlooked” through ageism and discrimination
The report, “Mental Health in Later Life” says that ageism and discrimination stop older people from accessing support, with poor mental health often dismissed by health professionals as an “inevitable” part of getting older.
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Shipshape and Bristol fashion: all aboard for better mental health
This February saw the launch of a new boat in Bristol harbour… one which is designed to help improve the mental health of local older people.
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Older Londoners concerned about their ability to access healthcare
Research conducted by Age UK London shows that almost two thirds of older Londoners (63%) are concerned about their ability to access healthcare when they need it.
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Life expectancy decline hits economy and workforce
Life expectancy for people aged over 50 has started to fall, new research from the International Longevity Centre – UK (ILC) reveals. The think tank finds that changes to the health and life expectancy of people over 50 will have a significant impact on the economy.
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National care charity MHA launches lifestyle and wellness app
The UK’s largest charity care provider, MHA, has launched MHA Active, an app offering tailored lifestyle and wellbeing content for older people, with the aim of keeping minds and bodies active.
Latest blogs & comments
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How transformative tech in social care can speed hospital discharges
With the constant pressure to unblock beds to reduce waiting lists, how can technology play ITS part in speeding discharge? Gerry Toner at Curam sets out how their business is playing its part.
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Assisted dying legislation: who gets to decide who lives and dies?
“The risk of older people being nudged to die by health and social care,” writes leading dementia expert Professor June Andrews, “or even by a family with ‘inheritance impatience’ is more than I can bear without a broken heart.”
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Power of Attorney: 10 tips for the delicate discussion
Leading dementia expert Professor June Andrews has some helpful advice for anyone who has been putting off one of the most important decisions we can make…
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It’s never too late to live a healthier life
Sarah Culpepper of AAA members Glass Sponge Coaching has some helpful advice to improve our healthspans as well as our lifespans… whatever our age!
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Why do we grunt as we get older?
If you find yourself making audible noises every time you exert yourself, you’re not alone! But why on Earth do we do it? Liz Lee of AAA members AMAC fitness trainers, has been doing some research!
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A stroke volunteer’s story
Like many charities, AAA member Bristol After Stroke relies heavily upon volunteers to support their activities. Unlike many charities though, most of their volunteers have personal experience of the condition they are supporting…
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How can we maximise the “wellbeing potential” of retirement living?
Tony Watts OBE recently gave a presentation at LaingBuisson’s Social Care Summit on why later life housing developers need to “futureproof” their schemes by “maximising their wellbeing potential”. Here is an adapted version of that presentation. A common theme in any discussion on retirement housing in the UK is why retirement developments here have not…
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Older people take their demand for a Commissioner to Downing Street
Campaigners have taken their calls for the creation of a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing in England to the heart of Westminster.
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Bringing healthcare home to patients
An “older people’s sounding board” is giving clinicians, consultants and service designers in the NHS direct access to the lived experiences of service users. Tony Watts OBE attended a recent meeting organised by the NDTi to find out what was being achieved.
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Co-designing a healthier future
A small team in East Sussex is harnessing the knowledge of older people to co-design an integrated Minor Injuries and Illness Unit (MIIU) that – they believe – will lead to improved patient experiences, and are looking to learn from others around the country.
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Explaining dementia to children
“Why doesn’t granny know me anymore?” This is the sort of question that a young child might ask when a grandparent is affected by dementia. Professor June Andrews explains how you can help young people in your family understand the condition.
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Breaking down the taboos around terminal illness
A new book, “Going Gentle” by Dr Philip Graham, explores some of the key issues around a topic that all of us, at some point, have to face up to – and offers practical advice based on the experiences of those who have lost loved ones. Review by Tony Watts OBE