Overview

To help understand how the COVID-19 context is affecting the voices of older people, HelpAge conducted a survey of organisations working with older people, over June – July 2020, to explore the impacts and opportunities emerging. We found that the pandemic has exacerbated existing challenges in the meaningful inclusion of older people's voice in decision making of governments and other power holders. We also found that some innovations were underway to use digital technology in new ways to ensure engagement of older people. Four action areas are identified and recommendations shared: 1) innovate to engage all older people 2) Place rights and empowerment at the heart of activity 3) Establish and strengthen the role of civil society and 4) Engage constructively with government to shift power-relations.