This document discusses strategies for addressing the needs of an aging population in urban areas. It notes that as populations age, cities will see an outward migration of wealthy retirees, leaving behind an older population that is poorer, more isolated, and vulnerable. To address these challenges, the document recommends taking a cultural commissioning approach that involves political leadership, a dedicated team, engagement of older residents, and partnerships across research, policy, and practice. It cites Manchester, UK as an example that has successfully developed a comprehensive strategic program on aging through these types of approaches.

1. Paul McGarry
Senior Strategy Manager
Public Health Manchester
Manchester City Council

2. • What’s the context?
• What does success look like?

3. The view from outside

4. Context is everything

5. More context
“Some councils will see an
outward migration of affluent
people in their 50s and 60s
who choose to leave the
cities…..the remaining older
population…tends to
be….poorer, isolated and
more vulnerable with a lower
life expectancy and a need
for acute interventions”
Audit Commission 2008
“Population ageing and
urbanisation have in their
different ways become the key
social trends of the twenty-first
century.”
Phillipson 2010
“I just sit in this
flat staring at the
television or the
walls. You get to
a point where you
think I can’t
cope: I mean you
think what’s the
point being stuck
in this flat day in
day out?”
Female, 51, West
Gorton

6. 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
50-59 75+ 50-59 75+
Richest 2nd 3rd 4th Poorest
English Longitudinal Study of Ageing
Men Women
Some inequalities context:
Depression and wealth

7. What does cultural
commissioning look like?

8. Like this: research/policy/practice
“Manchester has established itself at an international level as a leading
authority in developing one of the most comprehensive strategic
programmes on ageing.”
John Beard, Director, Department of Ageing and Life Course
World Health Organisation

9. It can look like this

13. Summary: key success features
• Political leadership and support is key
• A team of people supporting initiatives and
partnerships
• A local narrative that agencies and residents
understand
• Mainstreaming ageing issues to everyone
• Promote a ‘citizen’ perspective rather than a
‘deficit’ model
• Involving older people as actors in setting the age-
friendly agenda
• Support a partnership strategy: research – policy
– practice; multiple stakeholders
Buffel, McGarry et al 2014
Journal of Aging Social Policy

14. Thanks…. For more information:
p.mcgarry:@manchester.gov.uk
www.manchester.gov.uk/vop