Three Quarters Of Pensioners Call For Minister For The Elderly

Three quarters of pensioners want a Minister for the Elderly to be appointed following this year’s General Election, according to a new report.

 

Research has found just eight per cent say they are happy with how the government is treating the older generation.

 

The over 60s are calling for better representation to address the key issues affecting the elderly by whichever party is elected in May.

 

More than half of respondents describe themselves as ‘frustrated’ about how they are represented, with 46 per cent expressing ‘concern’.

 

In the survey of 1,000 over-60s by Churchill Retirement Living, more than a quarter said they are ‘worried’ or even ‘angry’ about the lack of political representation for their age group.

 

Spencer McCarthy, Churchill Retirement Living’s Chairman and Group Managing Director, said: “Our research shows that pensioners feel invisible to politicians.

 

“There is much talk about the need for the political parties to engage better with the younger generation, but has this come at a cost?

 

“The over 60s make up about a third of the electorate – they have worked hard all their lives.

 

“They are previous captains of industry, lifelong public sector workers and war heroes.

 

“Yet as they reach their retirement years, they feel they no longer have a voice.”

 

Despite this, Prime Minister David Cameron came out as the most trusted politician with 21 per cent of the vote.

 

This is compared to Ed Miliband on just seven per cent and Nick Clegg on three per cent but time will tell if this is reflected in the public voting.

 

Indeed, the survey showed that three quarters of the over-60s believe they are “unseen and unheard” by the major political parties.

 

One in ten are so disenfranchised that they aren’t certain they’ll vote in this year’s general election.

 

Of those, 13 per cent admitted this will be the first time they will not have voted in a major election.

 

When it came to the issues needing addressing by the major political parties, pensions affordable care homes and better health care for the over 60s topped the list.

 

Helping older people most at risk of longer-term loneliness and social isolation, housing support for the elderly and better provision of specialist housing for older people were also identified as areas requiring action.

 

Spencer McCarthy added: “As a developer of retirement apartments, it comes as no surprise to us that better provision of specialist housing for older people features so highly as a priority issue.

 

“Despite the overwhelming evidence that specialist retirement housing has a very real, beneficial effect on older people’s health and wellbeing, there is still a huge shortage of this type of accommodation available.

 

“If addressed, it would help save health and care services considerable resources and contribute to easing the longer term pressure on the NHS.

 

“We support wider government initiatives such as the recent pension reforms and support for older workers.

 

“However, we would like to see more changes to the planning system to help tackle the shortage of specialist retirement housing, along with greater support for those downsizing such as stamp duty relief and the extension of the government’s Help to Buy scheme to those not using a mortgage.”

 

Churchill Retirement Living is the fastest growing company in the UK retirement market, building purpose-built one and two bedroom apartments for over 60s looking for an independent lifestyle in later life. Developments are designed to take away all the hassle and fears that can be experienced by older people and provide security, peace of mind and independence.

 

If you are over 60 and would like to give your opinion, visit www.churchillretirement.co.uk/politicsofage or join the debate on twitter using the hashtag #politicsofage.