Care system Week of Action

To promote the requirement for quality care for older people Age Concern and Help the Aged are having a week of action in the week 8th to 12th June. The purpose of the week is to bring the issue issue of care and support to the nation’s attention.

Age Concern/ Help the Aged are doing this because they believe that the current care system is failing, yet politicians remain frustratingly silent, refusing to acknowledge the fact or commit to making improvements to the care system.

There are more than a million people over 65 who receive care and support. Much of this is or high quality, but much falls below a suitable standard. Therefore Age Concern/ Help the Aged are encouraging everyone to take part in the week of action.

They have come up with a number of ideas.

Tell friends about the week and ask them to join

This will help spread the word and raise the profile.

Share your experience of care

If you have a loved one in care, Age Concern/ Help the Aged are asking for your experiences – good or bad. There is a form on their website for this purpose, or an address you can write to.

Visit your MP and talk to them about the care system

MPs usually hold weekly surgeries on a Friday in their constituencies. This would be an opportunity to talk about the care system. (They might appreciate a subject other than their expenses!) Friday 12 June is the date earmarked for people to bring care system issues to the attention of your MP. Tell them about your own experiences of care. Go in a group if you are uncomfortable going alone. You can call 02072 193000 to find where your MP holds a surgery.

Hold a meeting to discuss care in your area

If you are a member of an Older People’s Forum, then holding an event to discuss care issues in the week of action would be useful. You could invite your local MP and local councillors to the meeting so that they can hear and understand people’s views.

Use the media!

Use the power of the media to get the message out there. Contact your local radio station or paper – why not write an article for the paper? This is a great way of bringing the issues to public attention.

Age Concern/ Help the Aged hope the week of action will raise the profile of the issue of care around the country.

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