Age NI launches NI Assembly Manifesto, Act4Age

Action on health and social care, public transport access, digital inclusion, and an end to age discrimination… these are just some of the calls to action in Age NI’s 2022 Assembly Election Manifesto, Act4Age, as the charity highlights the impact and opportunities of longer life on future public services.

Age NI, the charity for older people in Northern Ireland, has published Act4Age - its manifesto for the Northern Ireland Assembly Election 2022.

Act4Age calls on Assembly election candidates to commit to making Northern Ireland a region where older people are valued and supported to live life to its fullest potential.

Northern Ireland has an ageing population.  By the end of the next Assembly mandate (2028), the proportion of our population aged over 65 will outnumber that of the under 15s for the first time.

Linda Robinson, Chief Executive of Age NI said, “Our ageing population presents a challenge and an opportunity for politicians and policy makers.  It’s time to think differently about how public services, right across the board, are designed to respond to the changing needs of our population.

“It is a cause for concern that the Programme for Government does not include any commitment to planning for this, nor indeed any specific outcome on ageing and older people.

“Everything from the provision of health and social, to public transport, housing, public spaces and digital inclusion, requires a clear focus on promoting the rights of older people, their independence and full participation in the life of their community.

“Age NI has listened to the views of older people.  They tell us they are concerned about the lack of priority given to understanding or planning for our ageing society. They are fearful about the protection of their rights, and many have questioned the value placed on their contributions to society.  Engaging with and working alongside older people are vital if we are to create a better future for us all as we age.

“At a basic level, we’d like to see the formation of a cross-departmental taskforce on this, ensuring the needs of our ageing population are firmly embedded in every department’s agenda.”

Age NI’s Act4Age manifesto for the NI Assembly Elections 2022 is based on what older people have said matters most to them.  The charity is calling for action on four priority areas which can make positive changes for older people:

1. Rights, respect & co-design
2. Support for independence & choice
3. Health, care, wellbeing & protection
4. Communities, connections & inclusion

For more information visit www.ageni.org/act4age