Free Event near Waterloo: Making Britain a Better Place to Grow Older

Thanks, Primrose. Though I'm not sure where it gets us in terms that some have identified in this thread.....

Here's the blog post written about the event

Here's a link to future events

How did it go, folks?

P.S Just checked on National Rail - Industrial Action on 8/9th Nov! South Western trains will be subject to short notice alterations at that time of day. I haven't booked the meeting so will pull out because of the return journey possibly being very delayed. Sorry everyone.... what was that about downsizing to be near transport? hmmm

Also providing better accomodation for older people will free up housing.
Yes! But we don't all want one bed-roomed flats or sheltered accommodation in retirement villages - although I think the concept is good - just something smaller, convenient and preferably on one level.
Can you tell them please loopyloo?

I agree with Loopyloo's list. Rural bus particularly. A daytime meeting wd be much better as GrandmaMoira says. It wd save me from potholes in an unlit road after dark.
Wd love to meet Loopyloo, Primrose, Grandma Knot plus anyone else going. How about the exit onto the main concourse at W'loo from a particular number platform, 5.30p.m or thereabouts? Suggestions please!

{grin] I like the idea of a 'secret' GN meet up. Now it's on GN, just how secret will that be?

grannyknot thanks for the recommendation of the book, it looks really interesting. I'll grab a copy and devour it before the session

loopyloo Yes, there's the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Community Health and Care. What's really interesting is that all the other responsibilities are pretty medical - dentistry, cancer, end of life care etc. 'Older people' are one of quite a long list. I think you've raised a very salient point there!

www.gov.uk/government/ministers/parliamentary-under-secretary-of-state--67

Is there a Government Minister for older people ? Or is that the House of Lords?

Primrose and Granny knot,
Will see you there.
Perhaps we could have a meet up before hand to prepare our ides?
Or just have a good chat.
Yes had not thought about animals but that's very important.
We sometimes get parakeets in the garden and the people next door have 4 cats and 2 dogs. So I have the animals without the expense!
Will look up Dr Thomas.
Also providing better accomodation for older people will free up housing.

I'm on a roll now. Here's a description of one of the models that Gawande champions:

The Eden Alternative was developed by the imaginative, compassionate visionary Dr. Bill Thomas. Dr. Thomas was named one of the top ten Americans shaping aging and is recognized internationally for his innovative health systems. Dr. Thomas’s vision is that people should live in real homes, not institutions. Dr. Thomas lived on a farm flush with plants and animals. When he would arrive to work in the nursing home, he would be saddened by the harsh contrast of the sterile institutional environment. He set out to change things. He succeeded in getting approval for one hundred parakeets, four cats (two per floor), and four dogs into one nursing home. He also planted vegetable and floral gardens for the residents to hone their gardening skills. The residents responded with better health and happiness. The Eden Alternative model continues to thrive internationally and positively affect the lives of many.

Oops 're funny last sentence, auto correct to blame.

Here's an article on the book (it deals in the first half with older living and in the several bond half with dying - he is a doctor).

www.ft.com/content/3cc54e2c-52d2-11e4-9221-00144feab7de

Blinko good suggestion.

Loopy Google and read up on some of Atul Gawande's thoughts on what matters to older people. He is fabulous, a consultant in the U.S., who started thinking about older living when his parents needed support.

I may come to the event we could have a secret GN meet up!

I think we could learn from the American style Retirement Villages. That's where everyone helps others to live as full a life a possible without impinging too much on relatives or public services. They have them in NZ too, I believe. There are one or two examples here in UK but there isn't a strategic approach, as far as I'm aware.

Retirement Villages could address a number of your points above, loopyloo. Looking forward to hearing your (and Primrose's ) reports back. Should be a lively session!

I've booked a ticket too loopyloo. It's an interesting format and I'm looking forward to hearing lots of ideas.

Boldly, I have booked a ticket so please can you all send me your ideas on how Britain can be made a better place for older people.
I have thought of-
Better bus services. Investment in electric buses. This would help older people younger people and also help the housing situation as people would be able to live slightly further away from services and jobs.
Increased building of bungalows and houses on the lines of almshouses. Incentives for builders to build retirement homes with resources like gyms and beauty parlours.
Changing inheritance tax rules so that the family home is included, removing the incentive for older people to stay in their home for the sake of the children. Encourage people to downsize to free them up to enjoy life.
Having pop up medical centres with gps nurses physios, perhaps once a month.
Please send me your ideas and I will take them along with me.

Birmingham or Manchester are more accessible to a greater proportion of the population than (even) London...surely?

London is part of Britain (still), so no reason why events can't be held there. I think older people who live in London will realise that conditions in other places ( which are not all the same either- they'd have to have an event in every city, town , village, region by this logic). We know that public transport is rubbish in many areas of the UK compared with London, for example, maybe certain community events are better in less populous and more homogenous areas than London. I am sure the organisers in the ESRC realise this. I would be interested in this event, but can't do that day unfortunately.

Matt Perhaps more accurate to rename as Making London a better place to grow older?

I agree, pity it's not a daytime event. In the evenings, I'm on the couch unless something is rivetting

It's a pity it's not a daytime event. I don't do events that mean arriving back at my dodgy local station in the evening.

Unfortunately, we have a very small budget for the event, and we are based in London. We would love to be doing the event elsewhere if were able. Apologies to those living far away from London.

Why are these things always planned for London? Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong in the case of the NCRS.