Scottish government sets out plans for elderly care

The Scottish government has said that it is committed to providing the caring support needed for older people to be able to stay in their homes for longer.

A new housing strategy sets its plans at a time when the number of elderly people living north of the border is set to increase significantly.

The number of people aged 60 and over in Scotland is likely to top 1.7 million by 2035, a 46 per cent rise on 2010. Those aged 75 and over are to number almost 740,000 in the same time frame, up 82 per cent.

Scottish housing minister Keith Brown has this week put forward a blueprint which he says will help pensioners to be treated with "dignity and respect in their homes".

The ten-year scheme intends to promote a wide variety of housing and support initiatives, which will enable older people to choose the services best suited to their individual needs.

Mr Brown said: "The hallmark of a civilised nation is the way in which it treats its older citizens. Scotland's older people have made, and continue to make, an invaluable contribution to our society. They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect in their old age.

"This national strategy sets out our vision for housing and support for older people, along with a framework for delivery. It aims to help them to live independently, comfortably and safely at home in their communities where they are valued as an asset and their voices are heard.

"The vast majority of older people will continue to live in mainstream housing. However, there is still a vital role for providers of sheltered housing and extra care housing in reaching out to support older people in the wider community."

Caring for the elderly has never been as prevalent as it is today, with International Longevity Centre UK and Age UK saying that the number of people living to 100 is set to increase 12-fold in the next few years.

Posted by the paying for care editorial team