The Scottish Government has pledged to provide further support for older people as figures show a steep rise in medical problems, including dementia and blindness.
A report yesterday estimated the number of people with sight loss will double in 20 years to about 400,000.
And a new Older People’s Framework, published by the Holyrood Government, said the population is ageing at a faster rate than in the rest of the UK.
“People are living longer but not everyone is living well in their older age,” the report states. “They may live with ill health or disability, isolation, financial insecurity, discrimination and fear of exploitation or abuse.
“We must focus our efforts and energies in supporting those who need our help and put in place structures and support to ensure they and future generations of older people in Scotland live long, happy, healthy and fulfilling lives.”
The framework was published by Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie.
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At the same time, the Government helped launch a project to assist the growing number of people with dementia and sight loss.
The Royal Blind charity was awarded £20,000 in lottery money to help people reminisce without relying on photos or films. The project involves a tasting activity where local foods are used to stir up memories.
Chief executive Mark O’Donnell said: “The number of Scots living with sight loss is projected to more than double to 400,000 and many older Scots will live with both sight loss and dementia.
“It is important that we have a strategic approach from the Scottish Government which ensures the specialist support is available so that older Scots with sensory impairment, and also dementia, can access the support they need.”
The Government report found 20 per cent of older people who sustain a hip fracture die within six months. The cost to the NHS of such fractures is about £73million a year.
Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole Hamilton said: “It has been two years since Parliament agreed Scotland needs a national ‘falls strategy’ and still the Government has failed to deliver. Ministers need to speed up progress and produce a strategy that supports our country’s older people.”
