Older People's Housing Strategy launched

The Scottish Government launched the Older People's Housing Strategy today, a blueprint that looks ten years into the future for Scotland's older people.
The number of people aged 60 and over is projected to increase to over 1.7 million by 2035, a 46% increase since 2010.
The Older People's Housing Strategy stresses the importance of supporting people to remain at home independently for as long as possible, rather than premature or inappropriate admissions to care homes or hospitals. 
It has been developed in partnership with a working group - COSLA, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, Age Scotland and Care and Repair Scotland, and with older people through Age Scotland's Local Housing Panels.
It aims to promote a range of housing and support services, enabling older people to choose the services which are best for them.
Focus will be placed on preventative services that are crucial in helping to reduce accidents and emergency hospital admissions.
The Spending Review marked a decisive shift towards preventative spending, focussing on delivering better outcomes and value for money.
Housing Minister Keith Brown said:
"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."
Greg McCracken, Policy Officer at Age Scotland, said:
"Age Scotland is proud to be associated with this Strategy, which we believe has tremendous potential to have a positive impact on older people. From the focus on preventative support to the need for comprehensive information and advice, the Strategy addresses each of the key areas in which change is necessary if we are to achieve our shared ambitions of enabling older people to remain at home for as long as possible, and as active citizens within their communities.
"However, throughout the development of the Strategy, Age Scotland has said the Strategy needed specific and measurable targets compelling local authorities to fully implement it. Without this, the risk of a Post Code lottery becomes all too clear.
"Older people need certainty as to what services they are entitled and how to access them. Following the innovative consultation with Age Scotland and the members of our Local Housing Panels and the development of a truly radical national Strategy, it would be a shame if the Government's vision fell at this last hurdle.
"Given Scotland's rapidly ageing population, we need bold solutions which effectively respond to older peoples' needs. While the Strategy arguably has that potential, its implementation is ultimately being left to the discretion of local authorities. That's why the proposed national review in 2016 - as well as regular assessments along the way - will be crucial to establishing the extent of the Strategy's implementation."
The Older People's Housing Strategy is available here.
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