Older People's Strategy - Newcastle City Council

122 Older people themselves are changingGenerally speaking, older people are now better educated andare living longer, healthier lives. Some are quite affluent, whilstothers struggle financially.The aspirations of older people are changing rapidly as moreand more people are living longer. Older people: increasingly have higher lifestyle expectations; have diverse needs and views about what is importantto them; are looking for a range of high-quality services which helpto maintain their health and well-being; want to remain independent for as long as possible andhave choice, control and continuity in their lives; are seeking more opportunities to contribute to society andto feel valued for what they do; want much more flexibility and choice between full-time workand full-time retirement.3 Older people in Newcastle addressing the challengeIn Newcastle there are a number of different ways in whicholder people are working to ensure that they have a voice. Thismay be through formal structures, such as ward committees,tenants’ and residents’ associations or representation onbodies such as the Local Strategic Partnership; or it may bethrough participation in consultations or projects designedto capture the opinions of older people.