Cornwall Council and Public Health Cornwall are launching the largest ever survey on how we feel about growing old.
The survey will ask everyone, including children, what they think it means to be an older person in Cornwall, including people’s experiences and concerns.
The data from the survey will then be used to form part of Cornwall’s application to become an ‘Age-Friendly Community’.
Established by the World Health Organisation, Age-friendly Communities are places that enable people to age well and live a good later life and they focus on eight key themes:
- Outdoor spaces and buildings
- Transportation
- Housing
- Social participation
- Respect and social inclusion
- Civic participation and employment
- Communication and information
- Community and health services
Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health, Councillor Jim McKenna, said:
“Becoming an Age-Friendly Community is not just about supporting older adults - it’s about building a stronger, more inclusive Cornwall for all. And the launch of this survey is an essential part of our application to achieving this status.
“As our population ages, it’s critical that we understand the challenges and opportunities this presents. The insights we gather will help us create policies that improve accessibility, reduce social isolation, and ensure that everyone, regardless of age, can live fulfilling lives.”
Becoming an Age-Friendly Community benefits Cornwall by enabling a preventative approach to health and care.
The UK Network of Age-Friendly Communities includes 95 locations dedicated to improving life for older adults.
Over 30 million people live in these communities, such as Greater Manchester, Torbay, and Cardiff.
The Centre for Ageing Better collaborates with the Network to offer guidance and support for making services and infrastructure age friendly.
Lead Member for Public Health Thalia Marrington added:
“The report by the Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty on “Health in an Ageing Society showed that in the next decade more than half of Cornwall’s population will be over the age of 50.
“We also know from data that getting older doesn’t have to mean a decline in health and there are many things we can all do to live well and age well.
“Cornwall’s aspiration to become an age-friendly community reflects a commitment to enhancing the quality of life for residents of all ages, especially older adults.”
The Age Friendly survey is now live on Let’s Talk Cornwall and is open until Monday, December 15.