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
