MSPs focus on later life issues at Charity's reception

Parliamentarians from across the political spectrum joined with older people from Age Scotland member groups at the Charity's annual reception at the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 28th September. 
 
The Charity's five year policy agenda, Looking Forward: 2011-2016, was launched at the event. 
Nicola Sturgeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, addressed the reception, and highlighted the Scottish Government's priorities for older people during the parliament.  These included continuing support and funding to battle dementia, and improving the standard of care that all people, but especially older people, receive in hospital.  She also stressed the importance of integrating health and social care to provide a better service for older people, in a way that does not cause disruption or harm to service users during the transition to a single delivery model.
In addition to Ms Sturgeon, the reception was attended by MSPs Sandra White, Elaine Murray, Annabelle Ewing, Dennis Robertson, Richard Lyle, Rhoda Grant, Dave Stewart, Christine Grahame, Helen Eadie, Adam Ingram, Jackie Baillie and Fiona McLeod.
David Manion, Age Scotland Chief Executive, spoke of the work of Charity including its information Helpline and the support it offers older people's groups locally, seeking the support of Parliamentarians for its work to improve later life.  He said:
"It's really encouraging that so many of our MSPs took the time to attend and find out about the issues that matter to Scotland's older people.  We look forward to working with them to ensure that this Parliament makes real progress in addressing the challenges, and unlocking the opportunities, presented by our ageing population." 
For more pictures from the reception visit Age Scotland's Flickr site. 
 

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