Older people's strategy
The new strategy
After the success of an 'open space' event in Summer 2005, feedback from which was used to develop the 'Strategy for Better Health and Social Care for Older People in Croydon 2005-2008', we held another open space event on 26 February 2008.
The event was again very successful with a diverse group of older people representing Croydon's vibrant community. Councillor Margaret Mead, Cabinet Member for Health & Adult Social Care, attended for the whole day and opened the event with a short speech.
An open space event has, as it suggests, a very open structure, where attendees choose topics for discussion groups, which people then join as they wish. There was lots of lively debate in the groups, within a wide range of topics, which by the end of the day were prioritised by everyone attending.
Outcomes and recommendations were typed up straight away on laptops at the venue, so that we can incorporate them quickly in the new strategy and start to make the changes people have suggested as soon as possible.
A full report of the event has been circulated to all attendees and there is a follow up meeting planned in April to turn the priorities into the Older People's Strategy for the next three years.
Thank you to everyone for taking part, we look forward to seeing and working with you to improve the lives of older people in Croydon.
The current strategy
The Partnership Group Older People has adopted the following statement as their vision for integrated older people's services in Croydon.
"To enable people needing care to live actively and independently for as long as possible and to ensure fair access to services tailored to individual needs, by involving them and their carers in assessment and care planning and by co-ordinating the work of relevant agencies."
The "Strategy for Better Health and Social Care for Older People in Croydon" outlines the range of services available to support older people and their carers and new developments that will support choice and access to services, and further our commitment to inclusion, participation, equality and respect for older people in Croydon.
