I Introduction

“Older people have a lot to contribute.”

There is a “Lack of information and advice for people” about planning as they approach later life.

“There is a ‘concierge’ concept around older people.”

These three quotes come from older people attending a recent National Forum on Ageing ‘Futures Group’ discussion cafe at the Scottish Parliament.

Scotland, similar to the rest of the UK and Europe, is experiencing a rising ageing population which is a key factor in future policy and planning. By 2031 the number of people in Scotland aged 50+ is projected to rise by 28% and the number of people aged 75+ is projected to increase by 75% (1). However, changes in the age structure are not uniform across Scotland. For example, there will be a greater number of older people in rural areas and older men living alone. This article will look at the ageing strategy in Scotland and the formation of the National Forum on Ageing Futures Group which will influence policy and practice through the voices of older people, particularly those who are seldom heard.

Scotland’s Ageing Strategy

‘All Our Futures: Planning for a Scotland with an Ageing Population’ was published in March 2007 by the Scottish Executive (and subsequently adopted by the Scottish Government) and deals with issues around the demographic ageing of the population in Scotland. ‘All Our Futures’ sets a vision for the future Scotland which values and benefits from the talent and experience of older people. The strategy was based on extensive research and consultation throughout Scotland. This evidence was augmented by the report of the Scottish Parliament Futures Forum ‘Growing Older and Wiser Together: A Futures View on Positive Ageing' (2).

Recommendations within All Our Futures have been implemented and include:

• Formation of the Scottish Centre for Intergenerational Practice (3)
• Formation of the National Forum on Ageing (NFA) (4)
• An Anti Ageism Campaign (See the person, not the age) (5)
• Seven regional Stakeholder Events
• Review of Free Personal and Nursing Care by Lord Sutherland (6)
• Older People’s Assembly

Additionally, a number of other initiatives have been undertaken or are being continued by the Scottish Government. For example: the introduction of a ‘no retirement age’ policy for Scottish Government employees; continued support of concessionary bus travel – the free bus pass; continued support for the Warm Deal and Central Heating Programmes.

The structure of representation and consultation with older people and the Scottish Government is, on one hand well established and on the other, still evolving. In 2002 the Older People’s Consultative Forum was established; a group consisting of older people’s organisations whose role is to assist in developing and monitoring the strategy. The Forum also provides a ‘sounding board’ for ‘policy thinking in specific areas’ affecting older people. All Our Futures recommended monitoring and implementing the ageing strategies across Scottish society. The National Forum on Ageing met for the first time early in 2009 with the remit to implement ‘All Our Futures’.

National Forum on Ageing ‘Futures Group’

A group of organisations and older people, who met regularly to exchange information and discuss ‘Sharing the Learning’ around older people’s issues, met and proposed to Shona Robison, Minister for Public Health, that an NFA Futures Group be set up to continue the forward thinking underlying All Our Futures. Scottish Government funding was secured in April 2009 and the NFA Futures Group, consisting of 12 members met shortly thereafter.

Aims of the group are to:

• Stimulate, encourage and produce new ideas on ageing policy, planning and practice across all sectors through innovative and imaginative policy formation and planning.
• Create a uniquely Scottish approach to ageing that is positive and addresses particular issues in Scotland. The group will respond proactively to issues as they arise and the solutions created will have come primarily from older people themselves.
• Achieve a positive legacy for the skills and talents of older people by ensuring intergenerational activity at all levels, in collaboration with the Scottish Centre for Intergenerational Practice.
• Assist those tasked with creating policy at a national level while providing a route that older people can clearly see leads to a national level of engagement through promotion of the NFA itself.
• Involve older people themselves at all times and ensure that the views of all sections of the older population are heard.

References

1. All Our Futures, Planning for a Scotland with an Ageing Population, Scottish Executive: Edinburgh 2007 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/OlderPeople [accessed 16 Sept 09]

2. Growing Older and Wiser Together: A Futures View on Positive Ageing, Scottish Futures Forum: Edinburgh 2007 http://www.scotlandfutureforum.org/ [accessed 16 Sept 09]

3. http://www.scotcip.org.uk/ [accessed 16 Sept 09]

4. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/topics/people/equality/18501/experience/nationalforum

5. www.seetheperson.info [accessed 28 Sept 09]

6 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/04/25105036/0 [accessed 16 Sept 09]

End of policy and practice section