Opportunity Age

Consultation response - Summary of the outcomes from the consultation

The Government published its ageing strategy document ‘Opportunity Age: Meeting the challenges of ageing in the 21st century’ on 23 March 2005.

The strategy focused on:

Opportunity Age asked for written comments on any aspect of the paper but specifically on:

DWP and the Better Government for Older People (BGOP) programme hosted a series of 6 regional consultation events attended by older people and by key government departments and external partners, such as the Audit Commission, local authorities, voluntary organisations, and primary care trusts. The locations for the regional events and the participating local authorities (who sent teams of councillors, officers, partners and older people's representatives) are listed in Annex 1.

DWP also received 46 written responses to the consultation document; these respondents are listed at Annex 2.

This document is a summary of the responses received to the consultation, and does not include any reference to subsequent policy proposals or action that has arisen since. The views expressed by respondents to the consultation informed subsequent actions, and together with ongoing contact with voluntary organisations, local authorities and older people, continue to inform the implementation, development and monitoring of the strategy. Some of these recent developments are set out in the DWP White Paper on Pensions Reform: 'Security in retirement; Towards a new pension system', published in May 2006; in the Social Exclusion Unit report, 'A Sure Start to Later Life: ending inequalities for Older People', and the Department of Health White Paper on Adult Social Care; 'Our health, our care, our say: a new direction for community services', both published in January 2006; and in 'A New Ambition for Old Age: Next Steps in implementing the National Service Framework for Older People', published by the Department of Health in April 2006.

Please note that for the purposes of the strategy, the term 'older people' refers to those aged 50 and over; however there are some issues, for example, employment, where the focus will be primarily on the 50–70 age group, and others, for example, social care, where the primary focus will be on the over 75 age group.

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The overall strategy and how it is delivered

The overwhelming majority of respondents were very supportive of the strategy and welcomed its general thrust and direction. Respondents were particularly positive about the involvement of older people in the decision making process, and of the aim to achieve 'a society where older people are active consumers of public services, exercising control and choice, not passive recipients'.

Many respondents, however, made the point that the ultimate success of the strategy would depend on whether or not responsibility for delivery of the final strategy was held by a senior minister at cabinet level in a department with cross cutting responsibility. There was also a considerable under swell of views that the implementation of such a wide ranging strategy would be likely to have cost implications at all levels.

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The role of local authorities

Respondents were agreed that the local focus of the strategy was the correct way forward, and that there should be a leadership role for local authorities. The opportunity for flexibilities in approach to reflect local needs and practices was also positively received.

The active involvement of older people in both the development and decision making processes for local opportunities and services was universally supported. Recognition of the important role played by older people in volunteering was also welcomed.

There was also support for the importance of partnership working, including not just statutory organisations, but also, the voluntary and community sector and wider social enterprise community, in offering a comprehensive range of services and opportunities.

It was noted, however, that without clear direction it would be difficult to ensure that the strategy was fully implemented. Some respondents who raised this concern also recommended possible solutions, on a national, regional and/or local level. A number of respondents also stressed that the involvement of older people must reflect the entire older person community and not just those available for consultation, or representative organisations.

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Local Area Agreements

There was general agreement from respondents that Local Area Agreements were key to the development and delivery of the strategy at a local level but issues regarding accountability, flexibilities and the need to balance conflicting policy directions were all raised.

Respondents were also concerned about the link in Local Area Agreements between older people and healthier communities. Healthier communities and older people are recognised as both having a broad agenda with only some shared issues; and respondents feared that the wider concerns of older people may become lost.

It was also noted that regular major organisational restructurings, for example, currently, the merger of PCTs, had an impact on the progress and development of Local Area Agreements. Responses also reflected a mixed picture in relation to the success of Local Strategic Partnerships and the involvement of older people in decision making.

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Communication

Respondents were agreed that it was particularly important for DWP to raise the profile of Opportunity Age and ensure that there is a focus is on the wider older people’s agenda – not just Health and Social Care. This was considered particularly important for the 50–75 client base.

A majority of respondents offered suggestions as to how this might be achieved:

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Cross Government commitment

Respondents agreed that Cross Government commitment was fundamental to the successful delivery of the strategy. Some respondents had some doubts about the extent to which this might be possible, stressing the importance of integrating the older people’s agenda into all aspects of government policy, and tackling ‘inherent’ ageism.

Many respondents also stressed that central government must retain overall ownership and responsibility for the implementation of the strategy, working in partnership with local authorities and the voluntary sector, but not abdicating responsibility to them.

Some respondents suggested that the current framework would be unlikely to deliver the level of change necessary without high-profile, Government funded pilot projects to model future options and opportunities.

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Outcomes, indicators and targets

There was a general agreement that there was a clear need for a set of national policy indicators for the older people’s agenda, within a wider framework of indicators/outcomes. This was perceived as necessary for building the profile of the older people’s agenda, assisting in the balancing of conflicting priorities for providers and addressing the risk of wide variation in local attitudes. A number of respondents made it clear that, in their view, these outcomes/targets should allow flexibilities with a given framework and should be should be negotiated locally, but monitored, assessed and measured centrally against minimum standards.

A number of respondents commented that the older people agenda is currently target light and proposed areas for inclusion in any future outcome/target framework:

Some respondents suggested that incentives should be offered to support delivery of outcomes/targets; while others stressed the importance of removing disincentives. The view was also expressed that the opportunity to use savings/efficiencies locally would provide a valuable incentive, particularly with regard to the preventative healthcare measures.

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Indicators proposed in Opportunity Age

There was broad support from respondents for the indicators framework, and, overall, the concept of a balanced scorecard using different types of evidence was welcomed. There was also general agreement that the domains highlighted in Opportunity Age at Annex 1 would be good indicators for quality of life.

Some respondents queried the structure of the domains with three identified as representing quality of life, and two as enablers. There was a view that the question: “Is access to healthcare proportionate to older people’s needs?”, moved the debate immediately onto an illness focus and should therefore be the last question. It was also suggested that the choice of questions and indicators could be interpreted to make ‘need’ appear as ‘eligibility’ and ‘quality of life’ as ‘receipt of services’. The view was also expressed that some of the questions were ambiguous, for example:

A number of respondents expressed the view that the methods used for gathering and analysing data were crucial to measuring the successful implementation of the strategy, and made the following points:

Respondents generally agreed that the framework should aim at outcomes; but a number of respondents noted that many of those proposed in the strategy would be difficult to measure.

Many respondents also suggested indicators for inclusion, as:

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Observatory

The concept of an observatory on ageing was broadly well received by respondents. A number of respondents expressed the view that an observatory on ageing should not be purely academic in focus, but should have a broader view to what actually works in practice for older people, and should operate with close links to a wide range of older people, and involve older people as much as possible. It was also suggested that an observatory on ageing could be operated in a number of different ways, for example, as an independent body, or established as part of an existing organisation.

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Specific elements of the strategy attracting particular comment

A number of respondents took the opportunity of this consultation to comment on specific issues.

Transport

Some respondents pointed out that access to transport is often high on the agenda for older people, particularly in rural areas and that existing bus services are often of limited value to older people due to difficulties of route, location and physical ability to cope with journeys.

Housing

Certain respondents expressed the view that to prepare effectively for the age shift and help meet people's aspirations for better later lives, the strategy should recognise the role of the planning system and housing policy in achieving this; as without the requirement to assess and plan for the broader housing needs of older people, there would be no guarantee that a better housing choice for older people would be delivered.

Education

Some respondents expressed their disappointment that problems with resources and the focus on Level 2 skills had led, at a local level, to the withdrawal of some of the courses most valued by older people; reducing their access to learning opportunities. However the decision to remove the upper limit of 55 years for accessing the Higher Education student loan was seen as a positive step forward.
It was also noted that older people had a wider role in education through inter-generational activity, for example, sharing their skills, helping children with reading, bringing history alive, and more.

Health

Certain respondents expressed the view that there was a need for more community based care options for older people with dementia, and improved access to wider mental health services for older people.

Carers

Some respondents wanted to see a greater emphasis on opportunities for older carers, including flexibilities which would enable carers to continue in employment. Suggestions related to changes in Carers Allowance and to the perceived policy priority given to carers and their role were also made.

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Annex 1

Opportunity Age Consultation Events:

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Annex 2

Opportunity Age consultation respondents:

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