HAMPSHIRE County Council and its partners are seeking views on what is important to enable older people to remain living independently in their own homes, with a positive quality of life.

Views and ideas received as part of the listening exercise currently under way will help to set the priorities in the next ‘Ageing Well in Hampshire’ strategy to be published in April.

The strategy aims to improve the well-being of older residents by addressing their key issues, including access to the right information at the right time, especially around finance and benefits, being able to get out and about, join in social activities in their local community and find local exercise classes.

The refreshed strategy will form a key part of the council’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy for the county and builds on the successful partnerships and initiatives that have been already been put in place to improve the wellbeing of older residents.

These include the Better Balance for Life project, which provides older people with exercise ideas and classes to improve their balance and prevent falls. Another popular initiative is hitting the cold spots, which gives advice to people on how to stay warm in winter and reduce energy bills.

People and organisations can tell the county council their views by:

- Visiting hants.gov.uk/ageingwell-hampshire website to complete the online questionnaire

- Downloading copies of the A4 questionnaire to share with others and then returning it via the freepost address provided

- Requesting paper copies of the questionnaire by emailing wellbeing@hants.gov.uk or phoning 01962 847982.

Councillor Liz Fairhurst, executive member for adult social care and public health, said: “With an increasing ageing population, it is essential we offer the right advice, support and services to help older residents remain independent, enhance their quality of life and reduce or delay the need to use long-term social care or health services.”