Older people: policy context

The Scottish Government published A Fairer Scotland for Older People: framework for action (2019), which aims to “challenge the inequalities older people face as they age”. It focuses on communities, access to services and financial security for older people.

Provision for unpaid carers, including the identification of their support needs, such as adult carer support plans and the enabling of carer involvement in certain services was written into legislation in the Carers (Scotland) Act (2016). Subsequently, an associated Charter (2018) was written to help unpaid carers understand their rights under this legislation.

Housing & independent living: The Scottish Government published its vision for housing in Scotland (Housing to 2040), which recognises the changing housing needs for an older population. The document identifies the need to provide help to older and disabled home owners who want to move to a home that better meets their needs.

Older people may develop conditions that classify them as disabled, such as issues with mobility, vision, etc. The Social Care (Self-Directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 aimed to ensure:

• Disabled people have the same freedom and choices as others at home, at work or in the community.
• People get the kind of support they want, and where and when they want it.
• People get support at the right time, before a crisis or emergency happens.

Social care: a review of Adult Social Care (the Feeley report) was published in 2021. It identified a need for a paradigm shift in how we view social care: in that social care is an investment, not only in population health and wellbeing but has potential to also drive the economy. In response to the recommendation in the review the Scottish Government launched a National Care Service consultation (2021).

Age as a protected characteristic: age is defined within the Equality Act 2010 as a protected characteristic. This means it is against the law to discriminate against someone because of age. Further information on age discrimination can be found on the Equality and Human Rights Commission website.