Older residents take their hats off to Southend
Published Wednesday 7th July 10 in Council - news and information releases news
Older people in Southend are noticing a whole range of improvements in the borough.
This was revealed by the results of a survey carried out in December 2009 and January 2010 focussing on older people
In Travel & Transport - the proportion of people over 65 who believe that they can travel where and when they want has risen by around 14 per cent since 2007. Now 72 per cent of those aged 55 and over believe that they can travel when and where they want to.
Comments included: "Southend is well policed, well lit at night and most people are friendly and helpful."
In Crime & Safety the proportion of 65+ residents that feel 'very safe' living in Southend has risen from 14 per cent to 19 per cent in 2010 . At 81 per cent, the vast majority of 55 + residents feel either 'very' or 'fairly safe' living in Southend.
Throughout Money and Finances 80 per cent of 65+ residents either 'strongly agreed' or 'agreed' with the statement about having enough income to meet day needs, compared with 70 per cent in 2007. Meanwhile, 77 per cent of 55 + residents either 'strongly agreed' or 'agreed' with the same statement.
Finally for the most important aspect, which is Quality of Life - 92 per cent of 65+ respondents said their quality of life was either 'very good' or 'good' compared with 86 per cent in 2007. Meanwhile, 90 per cent of 55+ residents say their quality of life is 'very good' or 'good.'
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Executive Councillor for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing, Councillor Anna Waite said: "This kind of survey helps the older members of the community to voice their opinions and helps us to improve what we do.
"It is very heartening to see that they are the acknowledging positive improvements across the town and I hope that this trend will continue."
A number of people from all over the borough were asked for their views on certain aspects of the town.
This was the repeat of an earlier survey conducted through 2006/2007 to inform Southend's first Older Peoples Strategy. To enable comparisons with the 2006/07 survey results were produced for both 55+ and 65+ age groups. The strategy comes to an end in 2010 and the results of the 2009/10 survey will be used to inform the new strategy.