A Better Life: Valuing our later years

Champions Annual Event

Imogen Blood

13th November 2014

New Lanark

A Better Life programme

• Older people with high support needs

• Quality of life

• Voices of older people

“It’s about a change here”

Sir Tony Robinson’s short film can be played at:

http://www.jrf.org.uk/topic/betterlife

What does ‘a better life’ mean to older people?

Being heard, understood and valued

“Just because I am growing older doesn’t mean to say that I want to fade away.

I have the same hopes, fears, passions and interests that I always had and I need help to facilitate them”.

Beth, older woman in Knocker, 2012

Choice & Control? Yes, but it’s often the little things that

matter most…

1. A wider conversation about ageing

2. ‘See who I am!’ Responding positively to diverse individuals

3. Care and support based on meaningful relationships

‘Well I ask you’

The song is available on You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e4flqxhuKA

Along with “When the money runs out”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0jMJdbJVV8

“When we’re too old to remember”(LGB o.p.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhwfbk5eMLs

“A New Life: a song about living with dementia”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdadD6eSFQ4

4. More opportunities to make a contribution

5. A new social contract for an ageing society?

6. ‘Hear our voices!’

7. Radical but also simple changes

• Leadership

• Boundary-spanning

• Housing models

• Design and technology

• Commissioning a culture change?

For more information…

To download the book and access links to the rest of the Better Life outputs:

http://www.jrf.org.uk/topic/betterlifeFor the IRISS briefing on A Better Life in Scotland:http://www.iriss.org.uk/resources/delivering-

better-life-older-people-high-support-needs-scotland

For more about Imogen Blood & Associates:http://www.imogenblood.co.uk/Twitter: @ImogenBlood

With thanks to....

Short film:

Sir Tony Robinson

Photos:

Jo Hanley

Chris Steele Perkins

St Monica’s Trust

Song:

Sally Goldsmith