Compact
 

Planning for Older Age

Planning for Older Age –North Yorkshire & York sub-regional multi agency strategic framework for people aged 50 and over.
 
In March 2006, the strategic partnerships for adult services in North Yorkshire, and in City of York Council signed up to Planning for Older Age. This subregional multi agency framework, replaces the 1999 document and reflects what older people have said is important to them in various forums,in national research and from government direction.
 
It also recognises that to successfully plan for older age, we must start earlier than what most of us would feel to be ‘old age’. Government increasingly indicates that 50, is the appropriate age to make impacts on healthy ageing, support for carers who are increasingly from this age group, and to improve employment policies.  It crucially recognises that people over 50 already make and will be required to make an ever increasing contribution to their families,employment and communities, in an increasingly older population
 
The vision which has been adopted is:
 
‘Older people will be recognised as key contributors to society and the life of the community, where age in itself will not be a barrier. Quality of life for older people will be improved by older people and other partners working together. This will involve developing strategies and services which respond to their changing aspirations and ambitions, meeting their changing needs and offering more opportunities for fulfilment.
Information and services will be provided as locally as practicable by well trained and motivated staff working closely together or in integrated services. Individuals will have control over decisions affecting them.  The emphasis is on the needs and wishes of the individual and the choices available to them.’
 
The new framework brings together many strands and many views expressed directly as part of the revising process, as well as those made known through other consultation processes. Local partnerships and individual agencies will develop action plans to deliver the key desired outcomes and priorities over the next five years and this provides opportunites for local organisations and people to get involved.
 
Individual member agencies of the strategic partnerships are being asked to endorse this document to show their explicit support for its approach which will demonstrate to regional and national decision makers and potential funders, the strength and breadth of commitment to people over 50 and their interests and to partnership working.
 
We particularly invite all York and North Yorkshire voluntary and community sector organisations of, and working for, older people to further endorse the framework to add weight to it and to demonstrate to their own members and external networks,and potential funders, their support for  this  approach.