Age Scotland Conversations Age Scotland

Age Scotland has long held the view that older people need an independent commissioner to stand up for their rights and tackle the injustices they face.

In this episode, Age Scotland's Jo McGilvray and Adam Stachura talk to Colin Smyth, who is a Labour Member of the Scottish Parliament for the South of Scotland and has taken this forward by launching a public consultation into establishing an older people's commissioner.


A Commissioner would be appointed by the Scottish Parliament to act independently from the Scottish Government to protect the rights of older people. They would have scope to focus on a range of issues that are important to older people - for example highlighting ageism and age discrimination, ensuring access to services including health and social care, tackling poverty, and challenging digital exclusion.


Public support for an older people's commissioner in Scotland is very high with 7 in 10 younger people supporting it, and 80% of those over 50 want to see the role created.


Take part in Colin Smyth MSP's consultation at www.colinsmythmsp.com/older-peoples-commissioner-bill

Being able to live independently, safely and well in your own home for as long as possible is the consistent aspiration of the vast majority of older people in Scotland. This has been highlighted loud and clear through a wide range of Age Scotland research as people want to keep that connection to their community, family and friends.

Dr Vikki McCall from the University of Stirling, and Age Scotland's David Petrie talk about their new research, "Making Adaptations Work for Older People in Scotland", which highlights the experiences older and disabled people have with accessing home adaptation support and 15 ways to reform it.

Read the report and findings at www.age.scot/makingadaptationswork

It's Burns Night. Often with a dram in hand, and a plate piled high with haggis, neeps and tatties, the works of the famous Scottish bard Robert Burns have been celebrated and commemorated for the last 222 years.

But have you ever heard Burns in Bengali or Hindi? 

In this episode, we have a special performance from Savita Purran and Herman Rodrigues of "Ye Banks an' Braes o' Bonnie Doon", written by Burns in 1791, sung in English, Bengali and Hindi. 

Anne Gallacher, director of Luminate, talks with Savita, Herman and Rohini Sharma Joshi about the influence of Burns across the world and some particular links with India.

#BurnsNight

It can be awkward and difficult to talk about money, particularly if you are struggling. Age Scotland's Big Survey found that a fifth of over 50s in Scotland feels financially squeezed, with energy and council tax bills the chief cause. It is important that older people receive everything that they are entitled to, particularly as they have paid and contributed to the system throughout their lives. 

But knowing where to turn can be challenging. 

In this episode, Adam Stachura talks with Age Scotland's Information and Project Development Manager Heather Smith about the charity's "Check in, Cash out" campaign which raises awareness of the social security and financial support available to older people; the free workshops available to better understand benefits; and how to normalise conversations about money.

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Find out more about the support discussed in this podcast:

Age Scotland's free helpline: 0800 12 44 222 www.age.scot/helpline

Check in, Cash out: www.age.scot/checkincashout

Age Scotland's benefit awareness workshops: www.ageuk.org.uk/scotland/information-advice/benefits/free-online-benefits-workshop

Age Scotland's information and advice guides: www.ageuk.org.uk/scotland/information-advice

Step Change, free, expert debt advice - www.stepchange.org

Money and Pensions Service (MaPS): Money Helper www.moneyhelper.org.uk

Citizens Advice Scotland: www.cas.org.uk

 

Caring for a family member or friend can be rewarding and fulfilling. It can also be stressful and exhausting.

This Carers Week, Age Scotland's Dementia Training Officer Rachel Davison speaks with Michael, who cares for his wife, about their life together, the impact of caring and his wife's illness, and how their lives have changed.

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Age Scotland's Dementia Training team has launched new a new self-study platform for carers of people living with dementia. We know that attending sessions at set times can prove difficult for people due to their unpredictable caring commitments.

This new self-study platform will allow carers to learn about their rights when it is convenient to them and without time constraints.

Registrations for the first self-study modules open and access to course contents will be available from Wednesday 16 June.

To register, please follow the links below or email dementiatraining@agescotland.org.uk

The Carers’ Act (including Adult Carer Support Plans)

Carers’ rights and hospital admissions and discharge

Carers’ rights and Self-Directed Support

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Find out about Carer’s Allowance, which is the main benefit specifically for carers at www.age.scot/carersaallowance

Do you know about your rights as a carer? 

This Carers Week, Age Scotland's Dementia Training Officer Rachel Davison speaks with Nikki, who cares for her mum, about accessing her rights, what can be done to improve the experience of being a carer, and advice to others.

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Age Scotland's Dementia Training team has launched new a new self-study platform for carers of people living with dementia. We know that attending sessions at set times can prove difficult for people due to their unpredictable caring commitments.

This new self-study platform will allow carers to learn about their rights when it is convenient to them and without time constraints.

Registrations for the first self-study modules open and access to course contents will be available from Wednesday 16 June. 

To register, please follow the links below or email dementiatraining@agescotland.org.uk


The Carers’ Act (including Adult Carer Support Plans)
Carers’ rights and hospital admissions and discharge
Carers’ rights and Self-Directed Support

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Find out about Carer’s Allowance, which is the main benefit specifically for carers at www.age.scot/carersaallowance