Charity calls for Older People's Commissioner for Scotland to help protect rights

Age Scotland has launched its election manifesto calling for the next Scottish government to establish the role of an Older People’s Commissioner for Scotland to "help protect and promote their rights" while fostering a "positive view of ageing".

The charity believes the treatment of older people during the Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated the need for politicians to speak up for older people and now is the time to establish a new, independent commissioner who will work to protect and promote their human rights.

A key theme of the new work for the Older People’s Commissioner should be to advance and safeguard the rights of people living with dementia. They would be a key figure helping to tackle age discrimination and ageism across Scottish society.

This role will be similar to the positions held in Wales and Northern Ireland.

'Scotland’s older population is growing at a faster rate than the rest of the UK'

Brian Sloan, Age Scotland's chief executive, said: "Older people are an incredibly valuable asset to the country but too often under-appreciated. Our main ask at this election is for the next Scottish government and parliament is to establish an Older People’s Commissioner to help protect and promote their rights.

“Over the last year, we have seen just how important this role has been in Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, along with a cabinet secretary and minister responsible for older people, this new commissioner would be incredibly valuable.”

“At this Scottish Parliament election, our key focus is on how to help older people be as well as they can be, tackling loneliness and isolation and promoting a positive view of ageing.”

Older people have been impacted by Covid-19, with issues such as the high death and severe illness rates, the removal of social care packages, Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR) decisions, access to medical treatment, ageism, loneliness and isolation as well as access to food and shielding.

Based on these facts, the charity’s election manifesto outlines a number of key areas for action:

• Establish the role of an Older People’s Commissioner for Scotland

• Reform social care and establish a National Care Service

• Tackle loneliness and social isolation

• End pensioner poverty

• Build more accessible, affordable, energy-efficient homes for older people

"The Covid-19 pandemic has had an unimaginable impact on all our lives and for older people, it has been devastating. It has drawn into sharp focus the severe challenges older people have faced.

"Scotland’s older population is growing at a faster rate than the rest of the UK. We want to see every political party in this election bring forward policies to help our older population, those in the greatest need above all, and for Scotland to be the best place in the world to grow older," says Mr Sloan.