Age Concern And Help The Aged Respond To The Digital Strategy - Interim Report, UK

Main Category: IT / Internet / E-mail
Also Included In: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 30 Jan 2009 - 5:00 PDT

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Gordon Lishman, Director General of Age Concern, said:

'New ways to give people greater access to the internet are always welcome, however targeted efforts will need to be made to ensure all older people can benefit from the Digital Britain initiative.

'There's a lot on the web for older people. Accessing services and shopping online to get the best deals can be a real lifeline for some. However, not every older person has a computer at home.

'A targeted programme of funding and training is needed to ensure that broadband is accessible to all homes, especially those of older people who may be less well off. We would not want to see a Digital Britain emerge where technology serves to entrench and exacerbate the exclusion of older people.'

David Sinclair, Head of Policy for Help the Aged, said:

'The strategy for a digital Britain has huge potential to help improve services and better engage older people, allowing them to make a greater contribution to the UK economy. However, currently one in 10 older people describe themselves as out of touch with society and Government will need to make sure that the new strategy does not contribute to the alienation of older people.(1)

'For many older people, the vision of a digital Britain is not one they recognise - the benefits of high speed broadband are irrelevant to the seven out of 10 over 65s who have never used the internet.(2) Many older people want to learn how to use the internet but those who choose not to go online should have an alternative source of information and services.

'In the report the Government restates the potential for digital radio switchover, however we are yet to hear a convincing case for it and Help the Aged will be monitoring plans closely to make sure the needs of older listeners are not sidelined in the rush to turn digital.'

1. Help Unite Generations survey 2005, NOP World for Help the Aged, 2005
2. Internet Access 2008 Households and Individuals, Office for National Statistics, August 2008

Age Concern and Help the Aged are joining together to form a single charity dedicated to improving the lives of older people.

Age Concern is the largest organisation in the UK working for older people. Everyday we are in touch with thousands of older people, enabling them to make more of life. Our services include information and advice, befriending, day centres, lunch clubs, transport services, homes visits and advocacy services. More information can be found on our website at http://www.ageconcern.org.uk

Help the Aged is the charity fighting to free disadvantaged older people in the UK and overseas from poverty, isolation, neglect and ageism. It campaigns to raise public awareness of the issues affecting older people and to bring about policy change. The Charity delivers a range of services: information and advice, home support and community living, including international development work. These are supported by its paid-for services and fundraising activities - which aim to increase funding in the future to respond to the growing unmet needs of disadvantaged older people. Help the Aged also funds vital research into the health issues and experiences of older people to improve the quality of later life.

Help the Aged