Tom Brake MP Welcomes Sutton's Older Persons Strategy

3.47.34pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 25th Oct 2006

Tom Brake MP for Carshalton and Wallington with pensioner on a bus

Tom Brake, Liberal Democrat MP for Carshalton and Wallington, welcomed the launch of 'A Better Sutton for Older People', Sutton's Older People Strategy.

Speaking during the strategy launch at the Civic Offices in Sutton Tom said,

'It is a giant step for older people in Sutton.

'But it is just the first step. The strategy must be flexible enough to cater for the needs of those who just qualify as older people - the 50 year olds - right through to different marginalised groups within older people, such as Sutton's older people who have learning disabilities.'

The strategy looks at additional ways to improve the life of Sutton's older residents, and increase cohesion between different areas of daily living, such as health, community, housing, and social activities. Before writing the strategy, surveys were sent to the homes of all residents over the age of fifty, asking them for their thoughts on the later stages of life, and ways to improve current services. The Council received over 600 replies, and from those suggestions grew the Older People's Strategy launched today.

Tom commented further,

'As life expectancies in England continue to rise, we must adapt to the changing face and needs of older people.

'The strategy launched today, which has been devised with the full involvement of older people, will promote many positive aspects of community living and social inclusion.'