Drive to help elderly stay in own home for longer

A STRATEGY aimed at helping elderly people to live in their own homes for longer has been launched.

The Older People’s Housing Strategy, produced by the Scottish Government and local authority body Cosla, provides a blueprint for the next decade.

It stresses the importance of supporting independent living for as long as possible, rather than “premature or inappropriate” admissions to care homes or hospitals.

It comes as the number of people aged 60 and over is projected to increase to more than 1.7 million by 2035, a 46 per cent increase since 2010. It will focus on preventative services to reduce accidents and emergency hospital admissions.

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.

“The vast majority of older people will continue to live in mainstream housing. However, there is still a vital role for providers of sheltered housing and extra care housing in reaching out to support older people in the wider community.”

Cosla’s housing spokesman, Harry McGuigan, said: “Older people have consistently told us that they want to remain at home, as they age. This strategy is a major step towards putting in place the right services that allow people to remain at home and giving older people the choices they need to live the best lives possible.”