Tag: Age Scotland

Age Scotland supports increase in capital’s public toilet provision

Scotland’s national charity for older people has written to Edinburgh councillors in support of proposals for an increase in the availability of public toilets in the city.

The proposals, outlined in the “Future Provision of Public Conveniences” report, are set to be discussed by members of Edinburgh City Council’s Transport and Environment Committee today (22 April) and include recommendations for investment in 15 current public toilet sites as well as highlighting six areas where future facilities are being considered.

Age Scotland believes that there should be an increase in availability of public toilets in the city and says these proposals would be hugely beneficial, giving many older people and those with disabilities the much-needed confidence to get out and about.

They believe that the public toilets in Colinton should remain as part of the council’s network, resisting any proposal to close them, and urge that all existing public toilets in Edinburgh are reopened, made safe for use and available to residents as soon as possible, particularly given increased demand due to recent easing of lockdown measures and travel restrictions.

The charity advised that councillors should carefully consider accessibility of any new facilities if charging was to be established, given the large number of older people and people on low incomes who do not use contactless cards or do not have a bank account, preferring cash as a means of payment and budgeting.

Age Scotland’s Chief Executive Brian Sloan said: “Ensuring good access to clean, safe and accessible public toilets is so important and something which older people and people with disabilities raise with us regularly.

“This would be a positive investment in the city, for residents and tourists, and go some way to helping people feel confident to travel throughout the city, contribute to the local economy and improve their quality of life.

“We know that without good access to public conveniences many people, older and with certain medical conditions, can be discouraged from leaving their home which is harmful to their physical and mental health.

“While these new proposals look to the future, people must be supported to reconnect with others, take part in activities and boost the economy as a matter of urgency. It will be harder to support this, and tackle the effects of loneliness and social isolation, without ensuring that all existing public toilets are reopened.”

Age Scotland’s ‘Check in, Cash out’ campaign urges older people to get what they are entitled to

New figures from Age Scotland reveal that older people on low incomes missed out on £88 million in Council Tax reduction support last year.

These “astonishing” levels show that much more needs to be done to boost people’s understanding of the financial support available and make the process of receiving it much more streamlined.

As council tax bills for this financial year land on doormats across Scotland, the charity estimates that hundreds of thousands of older people are missing out on vital support they are entitled to. With 150,000 pensioners living in poverty and tens of thousands more on the cusp, Age Scotland says this huge sum of unclaimed support would make a real difference to those most in need.

These figures have been revealed as the charity launches its new ‘Check in, Cash out’ social security awareness campaign.

The Age Scotland campaign aims to raise older people’s awareness and increase uptake of the financial support available to help them live well, and work to change the narrative about social security so it is treated in a more positive light, removing any stigma about accessing it.

It will run all year round, urging people to call their 0800 12 44 222 helpline for an entitlement check and access their wide range of free information guides about social security. The charity will also offer awareness and training sessions about the most relevant financial support for older people.

Age Scotland believes that Council Tax Reduction is one of the most widely underclaimed benefits and heavily linked to missing Pension Credit support.

The figures, confirmed by the Scottish Government, show that the average annual award for Council Tax Reduction in 2019-20 to people over 65 in Scotland was £716.56.

It is estimated that at least 123,000 older households in Scotland are not claiming the Pension Credit they are entitled to which would make them eligible for full Council Tax Reduction.

Brian Sloan, Age Scotland’s Chief Executive said: “This astonishing level of underclaimed Council Tax Reduction, among other sources of financial support such as Pension Credit, could be making a real difference to the lives of those older people on low incomes, driving down levels of poverty and boosting their wellbeing.

“We’ve got to make it easier for people to claim and ensure that accessing passported benefits is much more streamlined.

“Age Scotland’s helpline identified around £500,000 in unclaimed social security for older people last year but that is clearly just the tip of the iceberg.

“Every year hundreds of millions of pounds in vital financial support is missed by those who are unaware it exists, don’t know where to turn for help to claim, are locked out as they aren’t online, or feel stigma about needing this help.

“We’re here to support older people to find out more about of the financial support available to them with our free information guides and free eligibility checks through our helpline. We can also help people to claim if they are missing out.

“Social security is not just for older people on low income. If you have a disability or illness which means you need extra help, or care for someone, you could also be missing out.

“We would urge older people to call our helpline on 0800 12 44 222 to find out if they are receiving all the social security support they are entitled to. Please don’t hesitate to check in, as you may well be entitled to cash out on additional financial support.”

Call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222 for free eligibility checks, as well as advice and free guides on Council Tax Reduction and other social security such as Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance and Carers Allowance.

Age Scotland’s information guide on Council Tax Reduction and their “Check in, Cash out” campaign is available at www.age.scot/CheckInCashOut. 

Care home visiting restrictions eased

Care home residents and their family and friends will soon be able to enjoy longer visits together and greater personal interaction, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has announced.

Updated guidance published by the Scottish Government (below) recommends easing restrictions on visiting in a range of ways, including extending indoor visits from 30 minutes to up to four hours.

Outdoor visits can be extended to include up to six visitors from no more than two households, including children and young people, for up to one hour per visit.

The new guidance also supports increased personal interaction, including hugs or hand holding, as long as strict PPE and infection prevention control measures are met.

These include:

  • personal interaction – visitors can support personal care and daily routine activities, provided this is agreed with the care home and takes place in residents’ rooms
  • touch – enabling contact with loved ones with regular training and supervision for visitors to put on and take off PPE and safety guidelines
  • family pets and therapy animals – during outdoor and indoor visiting, if agreed with the care home, and certain pre-conditions are met
  • gifts and residents’ belongings – can be brought in by visitors, when agreed with the care home manager in advance

These changes will require careful planning by care homes so will be implemented once care homes are satisfied that they can be accommodated safely, alongside existing safety measures such as the weekly testing offered to all care home staff, and sample testing in homes with no cases.

Local PPE Hubs are also in place across Scotland through Health and Social Care Partnerships to support the social care sector with PPE supplies for staff and visitors, in addition to care homes’ existing supply routes.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “We know how difficult visiting restrictions have been, and it is only natural after six months of lockdown restrictions, that care home residents and their loved ones will want to see and interact with each other as much as possible.

“The Scottish Government has been actively working with Scottish Care and other care home stakeholders on a staged approach to re-introduce visiting in care homes in as safe a way as possible, while COVID-19 remains in Scotland.

“This latest guidance has been developed with input from family members, carers, and clinicians to offer greater flexibility in visiting arrangements, and indoor visiting in particular, as winter approaches. We will continue to actively consider how we can best support visiting in care homes, and protect those who are at most risk from this virus.”

Age Scotland has warmly welcomed the changes to care home visits that will allow families to spend more time in an indoor setting with their loved ones.

Brian Sloan, chief executive of Age Scotland, said: “This has been a long time coming but it will nonetheless be a huge boost for care home residents and their families, who have really struggled with the lack of contact since March.

“Family members can at long last visit their loved ones in care homes for up to four hours, indoors and, where it safe to do so, hold their hand for the first time in almost seven months. The importance and benefits of this cannot be underestimated.

“This is something that care home residents and their families have rightly been crying out for as they grew increasingly concerned about the negative impact it was having on their health and well-being. Their wait has been excruciating.

“We have heard from many families who have been seriously alarmed by the decline in the health of their loved one during lockdown, in part because of enforced isolation to avoid the spread of coronavirus. We have been making the case to the Scottish Government that every effort must be made to resume indoor visiting as the ongoing risk to the person’s health by not doing so is substantial.

“It is essential that increased visits to care homes are now available to everyone wherever possible. With PPE and other protective measures in place, older people in care homes will be able to reconnect with their relatives and feel part of their family again.”

Coronavirus (COVID-19): adult care homes visiting guidance.

Tackling loneliness during COVID-19 outbreak

Age Scotland is encouraging people to look out for older friends, neighbours and relatives who may be staying home due to concerns over coronavirus.

Older people are more likely to be affected by the virus, especially if they have underlying health conditions. Some members of vulnerable groups are choosing to limit their social contacts, while many regular events and meetings have been cancelled across Scotland.

Age Scotland is recommending that everyone follow NHS guidelines, but has warned that older people could be at increased risk of loneliness and isolation if they choose to stay at home, missing out on regular social occasions.

Many older people may also need help with practical tasks, such as ordering groceries or caring for pets.

The charity is sharing tips on how to help people stay connected while minimising the risk of infection.

Brian Sloan, Chief Executive of Age Scotland, said: “We know that older people and those with underlying health conditions may feel more vulnerable during the coronavirus outbreak and as a result they might choose not to go out and socialise as much as they would normally.

“At this stage the NHS and Scottish Government advice is to stay at home only if you have the symptoms of coronavirus, including a fever and a cough.

“We would urge people who are well and have had no contact with others from high risk parts of the world to think about older people in their community who might be feeling anxious and alone.

“Some older people will be having fewer visits from family who live further afield, because they are unable to travel, so a friendly call or knock on the door could make a huge difference to their day.

“Being a good neighbour by checking in with vulnerable older people to offer to pop to the shops for them or pick up medication will go a long way to reducing loneliness and isolation. It will also help bring communities together at a challenging time for everyone.

“This is an opportunity to see the best of Scotland, to help and look out for another. Let’s start by supporting older family, friends and neighbours.”

Age Scotland’s 10 top tips:

• Stay in regular touch with older friends, relatives and neighbours by phone, email or video calls

• Don’t forget snail mail – everyone loves getting letters and postcards, or just a note through the door

• Check if someone needs repeat medication picking up

• If someone is self-isolating, offer to pick up groceries or other essentials and leave them on the doorstep

• Find out if someone would like help to set up an online delivery, or do it on their behalf

• Make sure the person has plenty of entertainment such as books, magazines or puzzles

• Consider if you can offer help with pets

• Try agreeing to watch the same TV programme and calling for a chat about it afterwards

• Encourage people to stay active if they are self-isolating – whether that’s moving around the house or a walk away from crowded areas

• Find out the services available in your area from local councils, charities and other organisations.

People can also call the Age Scotland helpline for advice or a friendly chat on 0800 12 44 222.

The most recent NHS advice on coronavirus can be found here.

Lonely this Christmas

One of Edinburgh’s leading care and support providers, Social Care Alba are working hard to address the public health crisis of loneliness this festive season by ensuring that all of their service users receive as much support as possible as well as a visit from their carer on Christmas Day. Continue reading Lonely this Christmas

Scots prefer spending time on social media than with their older relatives

-Age Scotland launch new Share What You Love campaign to combat loneliness-

New research from charity Age Scotland has revealed a shocking communications gap between the young and old in Scotland, as they launch a new campaign to combat loneliness in the over 65s. Continue reading Scots prefer spending time on social media than with their older relatives

Heads up – The Pearls of Wisdom exhibition launched at Granton;hub

THE PEARLS OF WISDOM Exhibition is  a celebration of six older people and their contribution to North Edinburgh over decades of activity. This unique way of celebrating their lives is in the commissioning of sculptured heads by award winning artist Kevin Dagg. Continue reading Heads up – The Pearls of Wisdom exhibition launched at Granton;hub