This Is Guernsey

By Nigel Baudains

ALL islanders over 60 will be targeted in a study aimed at determining future housing and health and social care provision for the elderly.

It will be the largest and most comprehensive survey into the attitudes, opinions, hopes and fears of older people and more than 14,000 questionnaires will be sent out this week.

States director of older people’s housing, care and support Lois King said the research would produce vital input. ‘First of all it will let us have vital information about the older people we are trying to assist as it’s critical that we know direct from them what they consider to be important in their lives,’ she said.

‘Without their input, the policies we are in the process of developing will be missing a crucial element.’

Results of the survey will be fed directly into the Housing and Health and Social Services departments’ strategy for providing the best accommodation, care and support for older islanders.

‘But I hope the fact that we’re doing the research sends a strong signal to the whole island that older people matter and the States wants to hear their views,’ said Ms King.

Housing and Health and Social Services have initiated the consultation, which is supported by Social Security and Treasury and Resources.

The research will be important to future planning as the ageing population is likely to have a considerable impact on the island.

The proportion of older people, currently approximately one-fifth of the population, is likely to increase as people live longer and the birth rate continues to fall.

That situation is of particular concern to governments in the developed world and the trends in Guernsey are more marked than in some similar communities.