A Brighter Future for Our Elders.
Caring for the Generation That Cared for Us.
A fair society is judged by how it treats its older citizens — not in words, but in outcomes.
On the Isle of Man, too many older people are being let down by decisions taken over many years: pensions falling behind real living costs, unsuitable housing, social isolation, delayed care, and public services that quietly exclude those who are not digital.
These failures are not inevitable. They are the result of political choices — and they can be fixed.
CHANGE sets out below the standards older citizens are entitled to expect, and the reforms required to restore dignity, security, and fairness in later life.
Where the System Has Failed — and What Must Change
1. Protection of Pensions
The issue:
State pensions have failed to keep pace with the real cost of living, leaving many older citizens worse off in real terms during periods of high inflation.
CHANGE Standard: These are not aspirations. They are the standards CHANGE will use to judge government performance.
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Link state pensions to Manx inflation, ensuring income keeps pace with local living costs.
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Introduce a minimum pension protection floor tied to the Island’s cost of living.
- When pensions fall behind the real cost of living, dignity is quietly eroded month by month.
2. Suitable Housing for Later Life
The issue:
There has been no coherent strategy to provide bungalows or supported accommodation. This has left many older residents trapped in homes that are cold, unsafe, or unsuitable — not through choice, but through lack of provision.
CHANGE Standard:
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Develop a “Retire with Dignity” housing programme.
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Provide accessible, warm, single-storey homes in every local authority area.
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Prioritise those living in unsuitable or unsafe accommodation.
3. Social Isolation Through Service Cuts
The issue:
Cuts to bus routes, community facilities, and local services have directly increased loneliness and isolation among older citizens.
CHANGE Standard:
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Secure long-term funding for:
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local transport
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community halls
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day services
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Treat social connection as a health and wellbeing priority.
4. Delays and Failures in Care Provision
The issue:
Long waits for care assessments, delayed hospital discharges, and shortages of care placements have left vulnerable people without support.
Delays do not just cause inconvenience — they cause harm, anxiety, and avoidable decline.
CHANGE Standard:
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Introduce a clear right to timely care assessment.
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Set defined timeframes for in-home care and supported living decisions.
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End prolonged waiting periods for essential care.
5. Digital-Only Public Services
The issue:
“A shift to digital-only systems has meant some citizens are effectively locked out of essential public services if they do not own a smartphone or use a computer.
CHANGE Standard:
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Legally guarantee paper, telephone, and face-to-face options for all public services.
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Ensure digital access is an option, not a requirement.
Key Outcomes of Reform
| Current Problems | Required Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Delayed care assessments | Guaranteed assessment timeframes |
| Pensions falling behind costs | Manx CPI-linked pension protection |
| Closure of local services | Local service access guaranteed |
| Digital-only access | Universal offline alternatives |
| No retirement housing plan | Purpose-built later-life housing |
Restoring Dignity for Older Citizens
Older members of our community are not a burden — they are the foundation on which today’s Island was built.
A dignified system must provide:
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financial security
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safe, suitable housing
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timely care
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access to services
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social connection
Respect is not a slogan. It is reflected in policy, planning, and delivery.
A Commitment to Dignity in Later Life
Respect for older citizens is not a slogan.
It is reflected in pension security, suitable housing, timely care, accessible services, and genuine social connection.
CHANGE is committed to restoring dignity in later life — not through promises, but through standards that government will be held to.