This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Newsletter for older Scots
27/03/2002
Older Scots who have a more active lifestyle will be
able to access the advice they need as the Spring edition
of the first dedicated Scottish Executive newsletter for
the over 50s is launched today.
Announced in October by the Health Minister Malcolm
Chisholm, the first edition gave advice to older people on
subjects such as winter flu vaccination and how to get
winter fuel payments.
Now with a new name,
Agenda, the Spring edition focuses on Active
Ageing, with information on the opportunities available to
older people who want to get out and about this Spring.
These include: diet, physical activity, the arts, lifelong
learning, using the internet and how to get involved in
volunteering.
Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care, Hugh
Henry, said:
"Growing old is not always about dealing with illness
and reduced mobility. Growing old can also be about getting
the most out of life, both in mind and in body. In short,
adding life to years, not just years to life.
"It is never too late to make positive lifestyle
changes, to take more exercise, improve your diet, or learn
a new skill.
"By encouraging such positive change, and by involving
older people in decision making processes, we can harness
the vast resource of experience and energy that exists
among the older population and ensure that they continue to
make a valuable contribution to Scottish society for many
years to come.
"That is why we have made older people's services the
focus of record investment. Why we have set up a
Consultative Forum for older people - to give them a
distinctive voice in formulating the policies which affect
them. And why last year, we launched this newsletter for
older people to keep them informed of new
developments."
Agenda is issued three times a year, and
is sent to older people's organisations, libraries, doctors
surgeries and community pharmacies. It is also available
from the Executive and will soon be accessible via the
Executive's website.
Other services we are putting in place to improve
services and opportunities for older people include:
- Introducing free local off-peak bus travel from
October 2002-03-26
- developing volunteering opportunities for 50+ age
group
- £125m investment in each of the next two years for
free personal care, starting from July 2002
- creation of expert group report on the Healthcare
of Older People
- Regulation (Scotland) Act 2002, which will ensure
people receive high standards of care in both care
homes and at home. Standards for providing
opportunities for residents to pursue physical
activities are being included in the new standards for
care homes.
- A £20m delayed discharge action plan, aimed at
halving the number of Scots currently waiting too long
to leave hospital and receive care in a more
appropriate setting.
- In addition to UK wide measures including the £200
winter fuel payment and free TV licences for the over
75s.