Blog: 2020 Vision - a starter for 10
We’re not making any New Year’s resolutions at Age Scotland, but in the opening days of a new year and a new decade, we are taking the opportunity to highlight some of the key issues we want to address in 2020. This is by no means an exhaustive list and we will tackle many other matters affecting older people in the coming months. But let’s get January underway with a few important starters.
Tackling Delayed Discharge
First up, sky-high levels of delayed discharge from hospital. The Scottish Government and Health and Social Care Partnerships must really get to grips with this as it is having a seriously detrimental effect on older people’s health. Reducing the number of people stuck in hospital unnecessarily must be a priority this year, not least because of the shocking statistic that some older people can effectively age 30 years in just three weeks being kept on wards instead of being allowed home.
Being detained in hospital can reduce mobility, increase loneliness and isolation and puts patients at greater risk of infection. It’s not surprising that many older people resist being admitted to hospital because of the fear that they might never leave.
On an average day in 2019, more than 1,000 older people were stuck in hospital despite being medically fit to return home. The cost to the Scottish taxpayer was more than £10 million. The vast majority of cases were due to a lack of social care provision. This is an unacceptable reason to jeopardise the health of older people and must be addressed as a matter of urgency.
Last year the Scottish Government pledged to tackle delayed discharge but as yet there has been no real sign of improvement. A significant investment, and recruitment in the health and social care sector, is needed and we would want to see real evidence of that investment by the end of 2020 with far fewer older people enduring unwarranted hospital stays.
The housing needs of older people
Housing and energy issues are another vital area of work for us at Age Scotland. We have recently launched our new Housing Survey of people aged over 55, which will help shape housing policy for people in later life for years to come. If you haven’t already filled it in, you can complete it at age.scot/housingsurvey or request one be sent to you in the post. But hurry - the deadline for returning completed surveys is January 19.
The home people have as they grow older has an important effect on general wellbeing. Even if you are happy where you are now, it is always good to think ahead and consider what adaptations you might need in future should you develop mobility problems, can no longer drive or struggle to keep your home warm.
It is important to make your home energy efficient, manage your bills and keep your home warm. Information to help is available on the Age Scotland website and in our handy guide, Warm and Well. We want to see all older people happy and comfortable in suitable housing with access to trusted maintenance support when it is needed.
Financial inclusion
Financial inclusion for older people is another issue we will be campaigning for in the coming months. Everything from bank branch closures to a lack of internet access can affect an older person’s ability to access their money and live well. Age Scotland has criticised the banks after a slew of branch closures were announced in 2019, effectively creating “banking deserts” across swathes of Scotland.
Seven in ten over 65s don’t use online banking and more than half of Scots aged 80 and over never use the internet. These people are being left behind in the march to digital banking by default.
We will be repeating our calls for banks to adopt innovative solutions, such as sharing resources in banking hubs, to ensure older customers receive the valuable face-to-face service they want. If banks are not prepared to offer equal access to all their customers, perhaps it is time for the Government to step in and take action on their behalf.
More walking sports
Improving or maintaining health and wellbeing is vital as people grow older. Keeping moving reduces mobility issues, increases agility, can help reduce falls and improves all-round wellbeing. At Age Scotland we have seen great results with Walking Sports – regular sports done at a walking pace. Walking football and netball have proved extremely popular with groups and teams established around the country. In 2020 we hope to see more older people participating in walking activities which help maintain good health but also offer an enjoyable way of socialising and reducing loneliness among older people who feel isolated.
Older people's champions across Scotland
Finally, we want to see all Scotland’s local authorities appoint an Older People’s Champion. So far only a handful of the 32 local authorities have someone with responsibility for older people in their area. We are calling on every council to get on board. An Older People’s Champion is a voice for all older people in the community; a person who can examine council proposals and highlight issues that might adversely affect older people. Older People’s Champions give a voice to older people and we hope to see one in every area of Scotland by the end of 2020.
