Latest news with #AgeScotland
Scotsman
a day ago
- General
- Scotsman
Age Scotland dementia event champions lived experience and inclusion
Age Scotland has marked a significant milestone in its dementia work with a national event in Stirling. Bringing together people living with dementia, unpaid carers, community organisations and professionals to help shape the future of support across Scotland. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The event introduced Age Scotland's refreshed dementia team and branding, and reinforced the charity's commitment to placing lived experience at the heart of all its work. Through meaningful conversations and interactive sessions, the event reflected the charity's focus on co-production, collaboration and building inclusive support that reflects the real needs of Scotland's diverse communities. To date, nearly £1 million in community grants has been distributed across the country, provided by Scottish Government funding. In addition, Age Scotland's dementia network now includes 147 dementia friendly communities, spanning all 32 local authority areas. This reflects the breadth and impact of local, grassroots efforts to make Scotland a more dementia-inclusive nation. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With attendees traveling from across Scotland, the day highlighted the importance of reaching underrepresented groups and ensuring dementia support is accessible and inclusive, regardless of geography, background or identity. Attendees at event Maree Todd, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, joined the event and delivered a keynote speech, emphasising the role of grassroots leadership and lived experience in the national dementia strategy. Anna Clements, Head of Dementia at Age Scotland, said: 'This event was about connection, collaboration and celebration. It was truly inspiring to see such a passionate and diverse group of people, each bringing their own lived experience, come together with a shared determination to improve the lives of those living with dementia and unpaid carers. 'We're building on a strong foundation of community-led activity and advocacy, and this event marks a significant step forward in placing lived experience and inclusion at the heart of everything we do. I'm excited about what comes next and proud to be working alongside such engaged and committed people from communities across Scotland.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Attendees at Event Maree Todd, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, said: 'It was a pleasure to attend this event and hear from people directly impacted by dementia, as well as those working to create more supportive and inclusive communities. 'The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that people can live well with dementia, and events like this show just how important it is to centre lived experience in that mission. We welcome Age Scotland's leadership in this area and look forward to continuing our work together.' As part of its ongoing work, Age Scotland is inviting people living with dementia and unpaid carers to join its Dementia Lived Experience Forum. The forum brings together voices from across Scotland to influence policy, shape resources and improve services, ensuring lived experience continues to guide the charity's work. New members are welcome to apply at: www/
Edinburgh Reporter
28-05-2025
- Health
- Edinburgh Reporter
Act Now Age Better campaign
Age Scotland's Act Now, Age Better campaign urges older people think about how to increase their chances of a healthy later life. Lifestyle medicine doctor, personal trainer and health coach Dr Hussian Al-Zubaidi said: 'We can all take meaningful steps towards leading a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life.' New research released by Age Scotland has found that more than half of people in Scotland aged between 50 and 65 don't do enough or any physical activity to stay healthy as they age. When asked how physically active they are, 53% of respondents to a poll said they didn't do enough or any physical exercise. The research also found that three quarters of people in Scotland in that age group worried about staying healthy in later life, and 64% were concerned about losing their independence as they age. The figures have been published as part of a new Act Now, Age Better campaign from Age Scotland and their partners Age UK, which hopes to start a national conversation about how becoming more physically active in our 50s and 60s can improve the chances of a happier, healthier and more independent later life. While many over 50s are taking positive steps to age better, misconceptions and barriers to participation in physical activities are holding others back, threatening long-term health outcomes. Another finding showed that over half of adults aged 50-65 substantially underestimated the recommended weekly guidelines for physical activity which include at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise, aiming to combine this with muscle-strengthening activities twice a week. The charity believes that this lack of awareness could lead to missed opportunities for preventative health benefits, such as reducing the risk of chronic diseases, improving mobility, and fostering good mental health. With an ageing population, people are living longer but not necessarily living longer in good health. With the right choices in midlife, we can help ourselves to maintain a healthier later life. Simple steps in our 50s and 60s can lead to major benefits down the road. Katherine Crawford, chief executive of Age Scotland, said: 'We know that staying physically active as we start to age is one of the best things we can do to maintain our physical health and mental wellbeing in later life. Yet as the research shows, it can be extremely challenging to do enough or any exercise, despite knowing the benefits. 'Health issues, feeling unfit, fear of injury, lack of time, cost concerns, embarrassment and intimidation have all been cited as barriers to people undertaking exercise. Some even, wrongly, believe that they are too old to start exercising when in truth it is never too late. 'The Act Now, Age Better campaign shows that even a small amount of movement can make a big difference. Making regular physical activity a key part of our routine is one of the best ways to stay well and therefore sustain our health, wellbeing and independence in later life.' Lifestyle medicine doctor, personal trainer and health coach Dr Hussian Al-Zubaidi has worked with the campaign to create a new leaflet outlining some simple, effective ways to add more activity to our lives. Dr Al-Zubaidi said: 'Physical activity is the cornerstone of healthy ageing – it strengthens our bodies, sharpens our minds, and deepens our community connections. There is no other intervention with better evidence to support longevity. By embracing movement every day, we build the resilience needed to enjoy a fuller, more vibrant later life. 'As a Lifestyle GP and personal trainer, I have seen first-hand the impact physical activity can have when improving your health and, as a result, I'm proud to support the Act Now, Age Better campaign to encourage everyone to tap into this power of movement. We can all take meaningful steps towards leading a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life.' Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
21-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
West Lothian bus company's charity partner will have pride of place on specially designed double decker
The fully wrapped bus design, created in collaboration between Age Scotland and Lothian's in-house design team, will be a common sight on the streets of West Lothian throughout the two-year charity partnership. A West Lothian bus company's charity partner will have pride of place on a specially designed double decker. The fully wrapped bus design, created in collaboration between Age Scotland and Lothian's in-house design team, will be a common sight on the streets of West Lothian throughout the two-year charity partnership, with the bus operator helping to raise awareness of Age Scotland's mission. Importantly, the bus design features information about the charity's free helpline which provides support and advice to older people across the country. In 2024 Age Scotland's helpline handled 30,000 calls, answering queries on a range of subjects from benefits and income maximisation, access to social care, and housing. Lothian's Communications Director, Gaynor Marshall, said: 'Lothian is proud to partner with Age Scotland to help raise awareness of the vital work they do to improve the lives of older people in Scotland. 'Bus travel offers so much more than a means of getting from A to B - it can provide connections between people and communities, enabling social inclusion and wider participation. 'Our Age Scotland bus offers a unique marketing opportunity which will connect members of the public across Edinburgh and the Lothians with information, advice and friendship.' Katherine Crawford, Chief Executive of Age Scotland, added: 'We're delighted to hit the road with Lothian buses over the next two years and showcase how Age Scotland can help keep older people connected. 'Tens of thousands of older people across the Lothians experience loneliness and our branded bus will raise awareness of the services we offer to help, and support dozens of local groups and clubs which keep older people connected to their communities. 'We hope that our messaging reaches even more people and amplifies that we are here to provide friendship, companionship and support to older people on every street across Scotland.'
Times
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Times
Power of attorney applications system beset by year-long delay
Tens of thousands of people in Scotland seeking legal authority to make decisions on someone else's behalf are being left in limbo by an outdated system that the public servant overseeing it has declared is 'no longer fit for purpose'. There are 67,500 power of attorney applications waiting to be processed, with a backlog that is taking nearly a year to deal with. Applications are dealt with by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), which is a department of the the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS). According to the OPG website, it is still dealing with applications from last May and June. Adam Stachura, spokesman for Age Scotland, described the scale of this backlog as 'jaw-dropping'. He added: 'Power of attorney is
Daily Record
07-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Pensioners in Scotland with long-term health issues urged to claim new devolved benefit
New claims for Attendance Allowance have now been replaced by Pension Age Disability Payment. Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible? Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) is now open for applications across Scotland, which means pensioners can no longer make a new claim for Attendance Allowance to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Social Security Scotland will administer and deliver PADP, which is the fifteenth devolved benefit to be delivered by the Scottish Government. Pension Age Disability Payment is for disabled people or those with a long-term health condition which means they need help looking after themselves or supervision to stay safe. It is available to people of State Pension age and is also available to pensioners who are terminally ill. The Scottish Government has said people currently getting Attendance Allowance do not need to take any action as the transfer from DWP to Social Security Scotland will happen automatically in phases throughout 2025. Everyone will continue to receive their payments on time and in the right amount, with no break in payments. Commenting on the nationwide rollout last month, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: 'The national launch of Pension Age Disability Payment is an important milestone in the development of our social security system, that will treat everyone with dignity, fairness and respect. The pilot phases have allowed us to put our different approach into practice, learning and improving before rolling the benefit out across Scotland. 'It is vital older people who are disabled, terminally ill or those who have care needs get the money they need to help them look after themselves, stay safe and live with dignity. 'The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring everyone gets the financial support they're entitled to and this has not changed following the UK Government's announcement on benefit reforms.' Chief Executive at Age Scotland, Katherine Crawford said: 'Pension Age Disability Payment will be a vital means of support for older people who have a disability or long-term health condition. With rising bills and cost of living stretching many beyond their means, it's vital that older people are not missing out on any financial support. 'If you are unsure of your eligibility or looking for support with an application, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222." You can also use the Age Scotland benefits calculator to check eligibility for PADP and other benefits or discounts, full details here. Lynda O'Neill, Project Manager at The Daffodil Club in Easterhouse, said "I know from working with older people with disabilities how costly it can be. I've helped people to apply for support and would encourage anyone who thinks they could be eligible or knows someone who could be eligible to apply.' It's important to be aware that PADP is only available to people with a Scottish postcode and does not affect anyone on Attendance Allowance living in England or Wales. Social Security Scotland also recently confirmed it has started transferring the awards of 169,000 existing claimants to the new benefit. Eligibility for Pension Age Disability Payment Guidance on provides full details on who can claim, how to claim, additional help available, what happens after a claim is submitted and extra support for successful claimants. Find out more here. You can apply for Pension Age Disability Payment if you have both: Reached State Pension age (66) Had care needs during the day or night for 6 months or more because of a disability or health condition You can still apply if: You have not had care needs for 6 months or more - your award will begin 6 months from when your care needs started if your application is successful You are waiting for, or do not have, a diagnosis You have a terminal illness - there is a separate fast-track application process if you're terminally ill It's important to be aware you cannot get Pension Age Disability Payment and Attendance Allowance at the same time. Existing claimants will automatically move to Pension Age Disability Payment - Social Security Scotland will do this and you will not have to do anything. If you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA), you do not need to do anything. Your benefit will move to the Social Security Scotland IT system. Payment rates for Pension Age Disability Payment Social Security Scotland will provide Pension Age Disability Payment at the same weekly rate as Attendance Allowance. It is also currently doing this for the devolved Child Disability Payment and Adult Disability Payment. The 2025/26 weekly payment rates are: Lower rate - £73.90 Higher rate - £110.40 How do I apply for the Pension Age Disability Payment? You can only apply for the new disability assistance benefit if you live in Scotland. Full details can be found online here. Anyone over State Pension age with a disability that means they need assistance with looking after themselves, or supervision to keep them safe, should continue to apply for Attendance Allowance through the DWP. Get support making a claim from an independent advocate Help is also available from the independent advocacy service VoiceAbility, which is funded by the Scottish Government, to help disabled people applying for devolved benefits. It provides a free, nationwide advocacy service supporting disabled people to access Social Security Scotland benefits. If you need an advocate, you should: contact Social Security Scotland for free on 0800 182 2222 ask them to refer you to the Independent Advocacy Service Full contact details can be found here.
