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CHAPTER 10: ADDITIONAL ISSUES
The consultation document gave some examples of issues not already covered by previous questions and these included the use of IT and the needs of minority groups. Consultees were asked for their views on these or on any other ways in which Scotland might benefit from its ageing population.
While over three in four (77%) consultees commented on additional issues, a great many of the points made reiterated issues already covered in previous sections of their consultation response. There were, however, some new comments and some comments that had not featured strongly in previous sections, and these are detailed in this chapter.
Just under one in three (31%) consultees took the opportunity to restate comments on contribution and opportunity. The main theme to emerge, in 14% of responses, was the need to treat older people with more respect by decreasing instances of ageism and presenting a more positive image of older people.
Examples of services for older people were again mentioned, in this instance, by 17% of consultees and 10% reiterated comments on health issues. Housing, transport and planning themes emerged in 12% of responses.
New technology was mentioned by 15% of consultees, including a public body who reported that,
"We were pleased to see that a study in Bolton run by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport shows that older generations had a good opinion of new digital technologies and were consuming new channels and embracing the new technologies. It is understandable that some found difficulties in installing the new equipment. The Bolton trial highlighted the importance of support from family and friends in installing and using the equipment and the need to give older and disabled people time to adapt to using new television equipment."
Nine percent supported work towards ensuring IT literacy for older people, while making some comments on the need to ensure the technology is 'age-friendly' with, for example, larger buttons or on-screen type. Seven percent stressed the need for IT training for older people. One charity, however, pointed out that,
"The older people of the future will be considerably more comfortable and familiar with modern technologies such as computers, the internet and the various digital television services. As such, it will become increasingly important to offer more technological integration with services. For example, being able to book doctor's appointments via computer may be desirable and on-line applications for some benefits may prove useful (provided lessons are learned from the recent spate of on-line fraud the tax credits application website experienced)."
The acknowledgement of different needs within the older population was noted and support for specific groups including the disabled and minority ethnic communities was commented on by 13% of consultees. One public body specifically commented on pension and welfare reform and warned,
"While recognising that pensions and welfare reform are reserved policy areas, there is a need for further consideration of the devolved policy drivers - e.g. free personal care, public service reform - which could tackle the interplay of age, disability and poverty. While doing so is unlikely to be cost-neutral, the human and economic cost of consigning growing numbers of older and disabled people to lives on or below the poverty line will prove increasingly difficult to justify legally, morally, or economically."
Awareness of the need for support for specific groups was strongest (33%) among consultees from the Asian community, while only 4% of the under 50 age group commented on the needs of specific groups of older people.
While inter-generational relationships were mentioned in comments on the question relating to age discrimination, there were slightly more remarks on this subject given here. Fourteen percent voiced support for greater inter-generational communication. A local authority commented,
"Bringing children, young people and older people together to listen to and learn from each other. This would fit with many agendas including citizenship in schools, mentoring and befriending services as well as helping to challenge stereotypes."
The link between education and older people was noted, with 5% highlighting the need to educate young people on issues related to an ageing population and older people.
Comments on financial issues also emerged, with 7% mentioning the need for better pensions and less tax, as well as financial rewards for carers. Six percent revisited employment issues, with 3% of these again mentioning the need for a flexible retirement age.
There were comments, from 6%, on the increasing strength of older people as consumers. These consultees felt that businesses would need to take more notice of the needs of this growing market and perhaps to target older people much more than at present. An individual gave an example of this in his response, "The market for older people "the empty-nesters" is of course recognised by such groups as SAGA."
Among the substantive responses, the issue of funding for the strategy was raised; one charity expressed the hope that,
"The Executive will provide adequate funds for the implementation of the Strategy once it is launched. The Welsh Assembly allocated £10m over 3 years to ensure their Strategy for Older People in Wales had a strong base from which to grow and we hope that the Executive will follow their example."
Other comments covered at this question included:
- The need for more help or assistance, generally, for older people (4%);
- The need for flexible working arrangements and no fixed retirement age (3%);
- General positive comments on satisfaction with life in general for older people (3%);
- More education and training opportunities for older people (2%);
- Better legal protection and rights for older people (1%);
- Packaging and portion size of food or other products to be more suitable for older people (2%).
There were some positive comments on the consultation; 2% commented generally that its aims were welcome. Only 1% made negative comments.
In summary,
- Most of the issues raised in the last section of the consultation reiterated comments that had been made at earlier specific questions.
- New technology attracted a larger number of comments than previously, and there were some comments on the strong role that older people play as consumers.
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