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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Background overview
The consultation on "Developing the Strategy for a Scotland with an Ageing Population" was published by the Scottish Executive on 13 th March 2006 and ran until 5 th June 2006.
Findings from the analysis of consultation responses were considered by Ministers and used to determine the direction and content of the final strategy titled: "All Our Futures: Planning for a Scotland with an Ageing Population" (published March 2007). In addition, an external Advisory Group, chaired by the Minister for Communities, brought expert knowledge from a broad range of policy areas.
The consultation posed a series of questions divided into 6 main sections:
- Contribution and Opportunity;
- Work;
- Services for older people;
- Health and well-being;
- Housing, transport and surroundings;
- Other issues and areas.
Overview of CONSULTEES
A total of 1,349 responses to the consultation were received, comprising 313 responses from organisations and 811 from individuals or discussion groups, although 225 consultees did not state which group they belonged to. Among organisations, the largest number of responses received was from community councils. Among individuals, almost half of those giving their age were in the over 65 age group.
While a broad range of individuals responded to this consultation, the data suggest that those aged under 50 may be less concerned about issues that will impact on them as they get older. Smaller proportions of this age group tended to provide comments on any of the issues under discussion in this consultation paper.
The data also suggest that women tend to focus more on issues in relation to care specifically, perhaps reflecting the traditional caring roles that tend to adopted by women rather than men.
OVERVIEW OF RESPONSES
Across this consultation, a number of key themes emerged time and time again. The following paragraphs deal with each of these.
How to Define Older People
The consultation document noted that older people are those aged 50+. However, many comments were made about the need for greater distinctions between different people, and that those aged 50 or more cannot - and should not - be treated as a homogenous grouping. For example, there will be very different service requirements from a healthy, full-time working individual aged 51 and someone of 85 who may be suffering from mixed dementia. At present, both these individuals will be classified as "old" but their needs will be very different. With increasing life-spans and improved physical and mental health, these differences between individuals are likely to become more marked. In line with this, there were also comments that older people need to be treated as individuals.
As such, some responses also noted that age should not be used as a discriminator, rather that skills and ability need to be a key focus.
A Holistic Approach for All
Many issues raised in this consultation were not seen as only impacting on older people. Issues in relation to public transport provision, housing design, healthy lifestyles and so on were seen to be pertinent to all individuals, and the need for a holistic approach to life was cited by a number of consultees.
For example, a healthy diet should be encouraged from an early age as this will help lead to a healthy life for older people. As such, a preventative approach, encouraging good health throughout an individual's life, was seen to be important. Other aspects of life such as the availability of public transport or the design of houses were also considered important for all individuals. House design should be flexible to allow for adaptations later in life when they are needed and that will also enable people to stay in their own homes and lead an independent life for as long as possible. This should be combined with an increased availability of sheltered housing so that when independent living is not possible, a degree of independence can still be retained.
A Need for Involvement
Social isolation - or the potential for social isolation - among older people was noted as a key issue to be addressed. There were many comments of the need to ensure that older people are involved in all aspects of society and that communities are cohesive.
Additionally, there were calls to ensure that the skills, experience and knowledge of older people are utilised.
Acknowledging the valuable part played by older people would go some way to ensuring involvement in wider society. Many older people adopt unpaid roles in caring for others or in voluntary work. While this is seen to benefit voluntary organisations and the government, many noted that there is little recognition for these roles. Furthermore, there were some calls for carer allowances to be increased and to be continued after retirement or for payment to volunteers as one means by which these roles can be acknowledged.
Employers offering more flexible working patterns to older people, or part-time opportunities would go some way to acknowledging the skills and expertise of older people.
A Need for Advice and Information
A need was defined for information and assistance across a wide range of services that are required by older people and that will help them to lead full and healthy lives. These included benefits, housing and transport.
Retirement Age
A more flexible approach to retirement was mooted by a number of consultees. The general view was that no individual should be forced to work beyond the age at which they are entitled to receive a pension, but that all should also have the option to choose to continue to work if they wish to and are able to do so. For some, a compulsory retirement age was seen as a form of discrimination.
Pensions
Allied to the issue of retirement age, a number of consultees called for changes to current pensions to enable all to receive a fair pension. There were also some suggestions that there should be tax relief on pensions.
Services for Older People
In many instances, older people are simply one of a number of groups of individuals who will be accessing and making use of a wide range of services. As such, many consultees noted that comments were relevant to all people. Key services that consultees focused on were transport, health services, help in the home and care services. It was also noted that these need to take into account the needs of all user groups.
In order to ensure that services offered meet the needs of these user groups, it is important to ensure that they are accessible and available when required and delivered by well trained and competent staff.
In terms of communities specifically, it was felt that they should encompass a broad range of different types of people in order to avoid "ghettos of older people".
Inter-generational Communication
There were calls for greater levels of contact between young and old people in order to foster greater respect for older people and to improve awareness of the skills and experience that older people can bring to society in general. It was also felt that this would help to counteract the negative perceptions of older people held by many.
Consultation
While services should meet the needs of those they cater for, there were comments that it is important for service providers to consult with service users in order to ensure that all elements of services offered are relevant. As such, there were many requests for a greater level of consultation with older people (or for older peoples' panels or an older peoples' Parliament).
Media Image
One issue identified by consultees was the need for a positive media image in order to counteract the current negative image held by many and often propagated by the media. This is further compounded by the labels that are often used to describe older people.
Information and Communication Campaigns
There were calls for a concerted information and communications campaign to counteract negative perceptions of older people. Suggestions were for a campaign similar to the current anti racism campaign on "One Scotland" or the recent advertising campaign on mental illness ("See Me"). While a largescale nationwide campaign was perceived by some to be necessary, there were also requests for smaller scale localised campaigns to fit with specific local initiatives.
There is a need to ensure that any communication or information campaigns adopted by the Scottish Executive have a broad generational appeal, so that all can be reminded that they will be old one day. There is also a need to ensure that individuals start to give consideration to pensions and financial arrangements at an early stage in their lives.
With this in mind, there were some comments that the legislation to be introduced early 2007 is welcomed, although there were also comments that an allied culture change is needed to sit alongside this.
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