Paul Edie: Elderly care needs home help

Whilst increased life expectancy is tremendous, it gives those of us who provide services for older people a bit of a headache. With such large increases, how do we provide services for them in times when there isn't much cash around and, secondly, who is going to be left to care for them?

The challenge is way beyond merely making best use of the investment. We need a fresh approach. We must ensure that they continue to lead a good quality of life but we also must get better value for the care resources we invest in.

That is why the Scottish Government's announcement this week that its Reshaping Care for Older People campaign is going out for public consultation is a step in the right direction. It is important that both public and health and social care organisations contribute to the future path that reforms need to take.

We need a shift in the balance of care to help older people to stay in their own home wherever possible. This is being done by encouraging independence by keeping well through being active, help in the community to become independent again after a stay in hospital and help in the community to manage ill-health.

As a council, we'll ensure support where and how it is needed, through the use of technology, through home care workers helping people to manage in their own homes and in our care homes.

Day services are important because they allow them to be part of community life and can provide a much needed break for hard-pressed unpaid carers.

The key challenge for us all is to ensure our health and social care services move with the times. We must be in a position to cope with the increased demands that will be placed on our society in the years to come.

Councillor Paul Edie is health and social care leader for Edinburgh City Council