By Keith A. Forbes at keithaforbes@btinternet.com
A disability and senior citizen volunteer advocate and activist, I write this in response to an invitation to help develop a strategy for a Scotland with an Ageing population. It is for and on behalf of the elderly who have contacted me as an individual and given me their opinions and comments, to which I have added my own. I believe the information below accurately and fairly reflect the challenges, conditions, views and needs of our ageing population. I have tried to ensure that every possible area affecting the lives of older people is considered.
They
are a major resource and hugely significant contributors to Scottish society,
and more than any other age group the stabilizing influence in society today.
They have an enormous accumulation of experience and skills to offer
which need to be recognized and maximized. They have a high degree of
accountability and responsibility. Their efforts, scrimping, saving and
sacrifices over the years and wills or bequests of yesteryear have enabled their
children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of today to live the lives and
to receive the advantages they do that most of the elderly today or their
forebears never had.
Most
of the over 65s today will be remembered for having cultivated such valuable
lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the
worm, life isn't always fair and maybe it was their fault. They lived – and
continue to live, sometimes out of necessity - by simple, sound financial
policies such as not spending more than you earn and having reliable parenting
strategies based on the fact that adults, not children, are in charge.
Most
of the elderly of today disciplined and taught their children the fundamentals
of life and how to tackle the future in ways that may not have been appreciated
at the time by their issue but are now. Today, common sense and quickly
effective home-style justice have been replaced by misguided political
correctness that deems it perfectly in order, instead of manifestly out of order
by old fashioned standards of decency, for parents to attack teachers for doing the job they themselves fail
to do in disciplining their unruly children.
The
elderly believe in truth and trust, responsibility and reason.
In
some cases, they are the only ones supporting financially their unemployed or
sick children. Some are more
involved in caring for a friend or neighbour than any other age group. It is
estimated that over 48% assist a
friend or relative or neighbour, compared to a nationwide average of 11 percent
of those 25 to 44 years old.
They
are the people most concerned over the closure locally, regionally and
nationally of many small, once-traditional village or town shops and garages
selling petrol and diesel because of the influence of the superstores. Once,
some of them owned these small shops. Other seniors, less affluent, unreservedly
welcome the big supermarkets and superstores for the significant savings in
prices they bring, with their considerable economies of scale and volume buying,
in food, clothing and other things such as petrol to pensioners on fixed
incomes.
|
Average
Council tax |
8.6% |
|
Average
electricity bill |
28% |
|
Average
gas bill |
125% |
|
Average
train, bus (for under 60s) and air fare |
28% |
|
Colour
TV license |
14% |
|
Food
and newspapers |
9% |
|
Unleaded
petrol per litre |
39% |
|
Household
oil per litre |
110%
in the north east |
|
Tobacco |
8% |
|
Alcohol |
5% |
|
Water |
7.5% to 23.9%,
see below |
|
|
Official
statistics say we have never had it so good; that incomes are rising, inflation
is low and the British economy is enjoying its ninth year of Labour-induced
stability and prosperity. But the experiences of millions of people –
particularly the over 60s and those on fixed incomes – tell a far different
story. What makes matters worse is when stealth taxes and fiscal drag occur
- when tax allowances and thresholds are not increased in line with wages or
house prices. Nor are benefits. It is one of record debt, spiraling household
bills that the government seems unwilling or unable to do anything about and –
for many as a result, a need to obtain Council Tax relief for the first time.
They
are volunteers and citizens
Many
are helping organizations, local community groups and charities.
As volunteers, they are often much older than those who are being served.
In charities with a local presence they are often the ONLY people to volunteer
and serve on their committees and do all the lugging around.
Are
there other ways they may be able to contribute more in the future?
Yes.
One way is if the government is prepared to approve a practical methodology for
older people who need or want to continue to work, to do so in different ways,
including flexible working. There are a number of options.
Do
you think there are obstacles to older people contributing to society?
According to
a BBC News/ European News Report of
Often,
when they are not themselves the owners of a business, older people are
perceived by the younger set as obstacles to promotion (upward mobility).
At
age 65, they are given a traditional gift, a retirement party, after which their
expertise at corporate level ends. It is rare for them to be continued on full
or even part salary or wage as directors or advisors or on call. If they were
regarded as having continued value, albeit in perhaps more of a back-room role,
they would feel more valued, be more productive and contribute more to society.
What
are they and how can they be overcome?
The
Scottish Executive should ask why, according to a BBC News/ European News
Report of
They
include
The
elderly just cannot believe that our legislators at
It
is wrong for the elderly to be regarded by the younger as having - wrongly -
little or no consequence in economic, social, educational and political affairs.
It
is wrong that there are no regular television shows focusing on pensioners, with
the exception of Last of the Summer Wine on BBC 1 and the years-old programme
One Foot in the Grave on another channel. These factors can be overcome by a
change in attitude. It ought not to be impossible. It is already practiced in Europe,
where
grandmothers and grandfathers are regarded as matriarchs and patriarchs and put
on a pedestal, as persons to be honoured - not looked down on.
It
is wrong for the elderly
not to be given at age 60+ any reduced membership by
registered Scottish charities as older and less affluent people. The Scottish
Executive and Scottish Parliament could and should play a leadership role in
this by insisting that ALL Scottish registered charities have a reduced
membership rate for the over 60s and disabled.
It is wrong for the elderly especially, not to be adequately protected by the Scottish Parliament of Westminster against uninsured drivers. (See section at end on "uninsured drivers."
What
do you think about ageism and age discrimination?
The
latter is deplored. All of us who are older welcome and encourage legislation to
help curb this because of its impact on the ageing in job security, job losses
and consequent loss of regular income by age 65. In an area like ours, where
jobs are not easy to come by and new industry is not forthcoming, it is of vital
importance to keep older people on for as long as they are able to manage
physically and wish to keep working. What
makes this legislation particularly relevant is the decision of the UK
Government at
The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations come into force on 1 October 2006. They transpose to the UK the EU Equal Treatment Directive of November 2000 which committed member states to legislate on age, disability, sexual orientation, religion and belief. Prior to this, the UK had a voluntary Code of Good Practice on Age introduced by the Government in 1999. The problem is that the new law does not go far enough. While it includes recruitment, selection, pay and benefits, promotion, dismissal, redundancy, retirement and training, it does not include goods and services and allows for a default retirement age of 65. So those who are older get little benefit yet can be the most in need.
What
else could be done?
A
great deal. Many of the elderly have family living in
Why
is this especially relevant? Because, in contrast, in America and Canada, the
cost of university education is at least 300% higher than in Scotland and the
rest of the United Kingdom - but there the Social Security payments – now
averaging US$1600 per person per month for the over 65’s - are at least 300%
more than here.
The
government here pays for a Child Tax Credit (see HM Treasury Budget 2006 Summary
Leaflet). But is there a Senior Tax Credit? No. The government also pays for a
Child Trust Fund at age 7 of £250 for all children, with £500 for children
from lower-income families (see HM Treasury Budget 2006 Summary Leaflet). But
are there equivalents for all seniors and those on lower incomes? No.
The
BBC generally and BBC Scotland have an accountability and responsibility and
should be having the initiative to play a significant and positive role. –
They – not other television channels – receive the annual TV licence from
older people under the age of 75. They should consider creating television shows
specifically on the human dramas, pathos, ups and downs, affecting the elderly,
not just on the younger.
But
it must be said that often older people don’t seem to take full advantage of
the services and facilities offered to them. They don’t always seem to occupy
themselves productively, or go out and about to meet people, to live happy and
healthy lives in this glorious part of the world. We may be in a remote location
here in Brora, Sutherland, but in scenic attractions and services we offer much
more than many other places.
3.2
Work
Thinking
about older people who want to keep working, what stops them from working as
long as they want to?
Many
of the aged and/or disabled – or both – have a special problem that is
completely overlooked. It is that they, with their limited mobility, or use of
only one hand, or with hands crippled by arthritis, often have great difficulty
opening tins or packages. They either have to make do without such hard-to-open
products or ask for help from others.
With
reduced mobility or dexterity of both, the issues of isolation, loneliness from
the death of a spouse or partner and declining mental health become very real.
Often,
there are too few jobs available, or a very small workforce, or both, especially
in the Highlands with its small population spread over a very large area, with
little or no industry except for traditional crafting or farming and the need to
look after their extended family when sons or daughters are working but
grandchildren are home on school holidays or after school. Also, based on the
experiences of some older people locally, they are affected significantly when
firms go out of business or go bankrupt, with no other local employment
prospects likely.
What
help might older people need if they want to continue working?
The
Scottish Executive or Highland Council, Highland & Island Enterprises and
other local government agencies, or a mix of all of them acting in concert,
should have a new policy for new businesses they attract to the area.
The incentive funding given to qualifying businesses should include a
pre-requisite that to qualify for such funding they must be in business for at
least three years.
Laws
to ban ageing and age-discrimination in both the public sector and private
sector workplace should be fast-tracked. Legislation should also ensure that
over 50s and pensioners are not exploited or paid just the minimum wage but are
remunerated based on their experience and qualifications despite their age. The
legislation aimed specifically at the older generation should include a
methodology to pay benefits and holidays and give them the same prospects of job
security based on merit as anyone else.
Adequate
and affordable public-sector transport by train as well as bus.
What
do you think could be done to help people build up a better income for when they
retire?
A
law that requires people from the age of 20 to vest 2% or more of their wage or
salary into a government-approved and protected pension plan.
It should be interest-bearing and cannot be withdrawn until an approved time.
Legislation
to ensure Occupational Pensions paid by employers and or employees are fully
protected by law.
Currently, the
A
more generous state social security pension, to bring it up to the level (currently it is only
30-35% of social security there) in
Proportionately
lower duties on petroleum as market prices increase, to help reduce the effect on consumers
generally and seniors specifically of the constant escalation of world prices.
Council
tax rises should based on cost of living increases, not far in excess.
It is recognized that council taxes must be paid whenever possible by all
property owners to provide the funding for essential and other local services.
Presently, means-testing is used to determine whether home owners can
justifiably be exempted from all or part. This is humane and fair.
Legislation
that supplements the minimum wages provision
with a salaries and wages proviso that requires people to be paid, even when
elderly, more than the minimum wage, based on their life experiences. It is
simply not fair that they should receive the same wage as someone who is 17
years old.
What
help might people need to combine work with other things such as caring, looking
after children or volunteering?
What
else could be done?
3.3
Services for older people
Such
as health care, housing, community care and transport
What
sort of services do you think will be important for older people in the future?
The
Highland Council has a "Free care for the elderly" commitment that by
law must be met. There is a projected large fall in care bed provision by 2017.
Every estimate is that the number in this needy group will be rising, not
falling.
Funding
is required for a local drop-in centre that would also serve lunch. This would
offer a place for older people to meet with their friends whenever it is
convenient for them. It could also offer light, enjoyable exercise, a computer
linked to the internet.
Local
library computers must be more attuned to the combined
computer/library/research/scholastic and quiet, stress-free needs of the
elderly. Too often, they attract a
noisy element making it not suitable for older people who do not want noise or
stress in libraries that are supposed to be places of peace and quiet for
reading, study or computer-research.
There
needs to be some form of highly subsidised, localised and accessible taxi
service.
There
is concern for the restrictions now placed on respite care beds. It is feared
that a greater medical crisis for the care will be the result of not getting
support sooner.
Private
Medical insurance (PMI) ought to be either offered or an affordable option for
all retiring pensioners in both the private sector and public sector.
Scotland could borrow a valuable new initiative from the Bahamas, a passport to a new healthier lifestyle. In an effort to reduce soaring health care costs, public and private organizations across the world have shifted the focus of health care from treatment to prevention. In one Caribbean nation, a new governmental program was launched to promote positive changes in the lifestyles of its citizens. The Ministry of Health of the Bahamas recently established the National Healthy Lifestyle Initiative, an effort to prevent diseases by improving and sustaining good health in its citizens. Heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are the leading causes of death in adults over 60 years of age. However, these diseases are as much a result of lifestyle factors as age. Dr. Daniel Johnson, National Director of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases of the Ministry of Health, argues “…instead of putting in more hospital beds and buying more medication and more dialysis machines, or performing more open heart surgeries, we have to begin to look at how we can get to these people before they have a heart attack.” The National Healthy Lifestyle Initiative functions to empower Bahamians to take charge of their health in order to prevent many of the chronic illnesses that afflict the population. Promoting exercise, healthy dieting, and preventive health care are representative of its broad strategy. Another key component of the initiative is the healthy lifestyle passport. The ‘passport’ is an identification card with two purposes. First, Bahamians who use the passport will have their health data, including screenings, tracked in order to provide public health officials more information on their lifestyles. Second, this data will be used as a tool for patients to monitor their own health progress.
Scotland could borrow a valuable new initiative from British Columbia in Canada. There, they enjoy one of the healthiest natural environments, one of the best health care systems in the world, and a strong growing economy. Those are all factors behind the fact that British Columbians enjoy the highest rate of life expectancy of any province in Canada. It's an achievement to copy. There, they know their aging population is both a great asset and an enormous challenge. British Columbia has one of the fastest aging populations in Canada, and within 25 years the number of British Columbians over age 65 will double and account for nearly one quarter of our population. This has a major impact on its economy, its communities, and its support systems. This is why they making it a priority to put in place the structures and policies now that will allow them to proactively meet the needs of British Columbia's growing seniors population. They have made a focused effort to put in place a continuum of care for their seniors, with assisted living options for those needing additional supports as they age, as well as more traditional residential and acute care. But, the impact on its health care system is only one element of a growing senior population. More and more seniors are living healthier, more active, and more independent lives than ever before. When they consider the resources and opportunities that seniors want and expect from their communities, the list of needs extends far beyond health issues. That's why they've established a new Premier's Council on Aging and Seniors' Issues. The Council will provide advice to government on how they can work together to support the independence and quality of life for British Columbia's aging population. One of the issues the Council will look at is the need to re-examine their notions of work and retirement. Older citizens who have worked hard all their life and contributed to society deserve the support that a caring, affluent community can provide them when they retire. When this occurs, they confirm everyone benefits—seniors from continued income and the sense of accomplishment and independence that comes with the working life, and society from access to the wisdom and experience that comes with age.
Thinking
about services that work well, what makes those services good?
Free
prescriptions policy for all over 60s. This is one of the most valuable –
perhaps the most valuable – of all services to them. The professional way it
is administered and handled, by GPs and pharmacists working as a team, with
dignity and courtesy and very little or no waiting and no means-testing, is
hugely appreciated by all over-60s. But it is recommended that bubble-packs of
medications be for doses of 30 days instead of 28; and that for some medications
where two or three doses a day are required, they be in quantities of 60 per
pack.
The
professionalism, kindliness, courtesy and efficiency of most officials and staff
of all staffed organizations serving the elderly.
What
can be done to make sure that different services work together properly?
Many
of the elderly believe that some services are put into place more to provide
employment than to provide a service. When
they are government-run or government or local government financed in whole or
in part they should each be providing a unique service, not duplicating it to
some degree.
How
can we make sure that as services develop and change, they continue to meet the
needs of older people?
Too
many times a service has been funded for a limited period of time, then, just as
it has come to be relied on the funding has been stopped.
What
else could be done?
Entry
to care homes should not be means-tested as they are now. It is not right that
some who have very little in total assets should pay little or nothing, while
others who have been prudent and careful all their lives should have to sell
their homes to pay for entry to a care home.
The
government should do what local and national governments do in the
3.4
Health and well-being
What
do you think about helping people stay healthy and well in later life?
Those
who have transportation and are physically able to join in various activities
such as Tai Chi, Scottish Country Dancing, golf, bowling and much more.
What
are the most important things for good physical health in later life?
For
those who are not severely physically disabled, running, or walking a mile a
day, or using an exercise machine or riding a bike. When weather permits,
especially in spring, summer and autumn, active gardening such as digging,
forking, planting. Enjoying the outdoors.
What
are the things that contribute most to good mental health and well being?
Love
and affection from a spouse or partner and children. Self-esteem, from being
employed and recognized as productive, or being retired and active in
mind and, where possible, body. Companionship and friendship. Involvement with
local or regional organizations and membership. Pursuits and hobbies.
There are many organizations in the area to keep older people in touch with
their friends, neighbours and war-time colleagues. Unfortunately, those who have
no transport are at risk of being isolated which leads to depression.
What
can be done to support those things?
In
other parts of the world, there are organizations which are part of the Red
Cross and arrange personal transportation, in the
cars of volunteer members, to doctors and hospitals at no charge or a
very small charge for patients without cars or unable to use them. Some of us
would gladly volunteer our services when we can if such a group could be funded
locally.
What
else could be done?
Dentist!
With no NHS dentists at all in this part of or anywhere else in Sutherland,
there is an urgent need for one. It is a major failing on the National Health
Service in this area. I recommend a NHS Dental Practice in Brora
or Golspie, perhaps at
The
development of services to support elderly people is an essential part of the
health service we need in the twenty first century.
Heart
disease, the most preventable health threat facing
In “Age and Experience: Consultation on the Strategy for a Scotland with an Ageing Population,” issued by the Scottish Executive in March and inviting comments from individuals, community councils and others by 5th June 2006, it was specifically stated that age should not be seen as a barrier to a new and fulfilling lifestyle. But it is. And for some older people it has become a huge, soul-destroying barrier. Maintaining and retaining independence in later life can significantly affect the levels of mental well-being. Loss of health or capability is defined by the National Health Service (NHS) and the Scottish Executive as one of the main barriers to mental health and well-being. This is then is a major age and health concern. Affordable, Scottish Executive-guaranteed or subsidised travel insurance is one thing that can be done to remedy the situation — and sooner, rather than later. Its importance? Huge. Why? Because “prior conditions” affecting the elderly — even for something as non-emergency as a bout of skin cancer, that quite a few people have had — is causing companies that normally offer travel insurance to decline cover. Good insurers such as Age Concern, that used to allow some prior conditions although with a large excess, now won’t offer any cover for a specific condition such as this. The elderly who are prudent, careful and want to do the right thing by taking out travel insurance — even if they have to face an excess of £1000 or £2000 because of, say, heart attacks, but have made such a good recovery that some can now play 18 holes of golf — now face not being able to go on holiday at all because they are unable to obtain cover, even with an excess. The free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which replaced the old E111 form in January 2006, provides some basic protection but is limited in coverage, services and benefits and does not apply to countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. It does not cover cancellation at all. Thus travel insurance is essential, even for the EU, especially for the elderly. Anyone who goes to North America or the Caribbean without it is taking a huge risk. The long Scottish winters make it necessary for those who can do so to seek warmer climates for a holiday to refresh themselves in mind and spirit. Doing so is part of the mental and, to the extent possible, physical “Health in Later Life” activities that the Scottish Executive have specifically approved. Is it possible for the Scottish Executive to intervene in this insurance matter? Some newspapers — for example the Scottish Daily Telegraph of Saturday, 13th May 2006 — claim that annual travel insurance is included with some bank accounts. It specifies what banks do so and what type of accounts qualify. But what is does not say is that many older people don’t have those types of accounts, or that persons over a certain age may or do not qualify and that the coverage is based on satisfactory true answers to health questions. This is something the Scottish Executive and MSPs could and should do to enable older people to travel again to their favourite destinations with peace of mind. Older people affected by the above expect their Members of Parliament, the Scottish Executive and Members of the Scottish Parliament to be supportive of their concerns and when asked to use their influence to intervene to put a wrong to rights, to do so as knowledgeable advocates. Among other things, they could copy what goes on in Canada where all Canadians and immigrants who travel abroad, including those with long-term disabilities, are not prevented from obtaining travel insurance for foreign travel.
3.5
Housing, transport and surroundings
What
should be done to make sure that our houses and homes are suitable for an ageing
population?
Costs of houses - especially when compared to the rest of Europe - is a major concern. When elderly people who own homes need to or have to downsize, they are the people most affected by what they will have to pay in Council Taxes and for water. It has often been stated that costs of properties in the Highlands are lower. But what cancels this out is that Council Taxes on lower-priced Highland properties are as high as they are in London on homes worth much more.
Housing
has been confirmed as one of the top of the list of concerns of Scots looking
ahead to old age. Affordable and accessible housing is being sought urgently by
some. There is no local or regional definition presently of “affordable
housing.” We need to know, especially as there are some plans now to build
some in Brora. As has been proposed for Aviemore, affordable housing should be
restricted to those who have lived and worked here for at least three years?
A
BBC Scotland news report on
We
also need a day centre for the elderly. Currently, there are none. Opinions vary on whether or not Brora needs a dedicated care home, maybe
more sheltered housing with at least 5-6 beds would help.
A
home with a garden, or part of a garden, is much appreciated by garden-minded
homeowners whose age or infirmity or departed children cause them to downsize.
Gardening can be a wonderful therapy and activity. It helps them to “live”
and appreciate nature, not just to “exist.”
What
should be done to make sure that our transport system is good enough?
An
initiative that has hugely pleased the over 60s is the Scottish Executive’s
decision, well before the English are doing so, to have free throughout-Scotland
bus travel – and when registered disabled, for their carer as well travelling
with them, even if not also over 60. Any who have not yet done so locally,
regionally and nationally in
At
present, this applies only to buses.
It
must be noted with concern that here in the Northern Highlands we have major
public transport concerns of the type that those living in Inverness, Perth,
Stirling, Glasgow, Edinburgh and other bigger towns do not have. Here in the
north east Sutherland, we have only a limited bus service which does not
adequately serve the needs of the over 50s and pensioners.
There are FIVE bus services a DAY (in
the summer, fewer in the winter) on the City Link 958 service route from
Inverness via Brora to Scabster – leaving Inverness at 11:45, 1400, 1525, 1645
and 1835, to arrive at Brora at 1326, 1541, 1653, 1826 and 2016. And
from Scrabster to
The less frequent (twice daily) Brora -
The twice-daily Macleod's Coaches N12 service runs
between Helmsdale and Lairg via Brora, Golspie and Pittentrail in Rogart. It is
a Dial-A-Bus service for those who find it difficult or impossible to use the
regular public transport. 01408
641354. Macleod's Coaches at email macleods.coaches@btopenworld.com.
Again, the infrequency of this service to means little or no possibility of
getting a two-way bus service to collect prescriptions or see a doctor or attend
outpatient clinics or visit the sick in hospital without incurring a very
considerable wait.
Several
members of the Brora Community Council, as members of the Sutherland Partnership
transport committee, have asked for a localised disabled access taxi service. If
feasible and fundable it would be a great boon to all the small villages
and could be achieved at fairly low cost.
The
Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) has advised that living
with a disability has become a reality for us as a community as well as for
individuals; that the numbers of both Britons and Scots over 65 will double over
the next 30 years and that at least 33% of them will be disabled.
While
in theory recent amendments to the UK-wide Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
will extend to trains, buses, taxis, coaches and trams in December, in actuality
they apply only to new vehicles. Companies are not obliged to adapt older
vehicles. Rail companies have until 2020 to ensure all trains are accessible,
buses have until 2017 and there is no timetable for taxis.
Our
other public transport is inadequate with only THREE (expensive) train services
each way a DAY from/to Inverness/Wick/Thurso. By train, the 60 mile train
journey each way takes considerably more than two hours, so this service too is
unable to cater to any needs of the elderly. Friends
of the Far North Line (FoFNL) and others, including all older people, want to
see substantial improvements, including an upgrade of the rolling stock, to make
it far easier for the older person, more competitive with the A9 road and help
make rail travel more attractive. Carriages presently are the class 158 type;
2-car, good on short commuter line routes but bad for long-distance or the
significant time involved in the Inverness to Wick or Thurso route, with not
enough luggage capacity, insufficient toilets and are not geared for tourists.
More than half the seats in each carriage do not look out on to windows. What is
needed instead are the later generation class 170 turbo units of the type used
on the
The
Scottish Executive's Public Transport Fund (PTF)
should help. HITRANS (
First
Minister Mr. McConnell has been quoted as saying: "Transport
is key to raising economic growth in
Another
serious shortcoming of the DDA is that air travel is outside its scope. Access
to Air Travel for Disabled People, brought in a few years ago, has not been
effective. What makes all this particularly relevant to these Northern Highlands
for our Brora community and our broader regional community from Inverness to
Wick and the Islands, is whether the
Scottish Executive will ask for these Scottish airports to comply with new
legislation approved by the European Parliament that will come into effect in
2007 and 2008. A local disabled activist presently under 65 hopes this will be
the case.
Also
worthy of note is that although Brora is geographically half way between
Inverness and Wick, local residents – despite the fine efforts of our MP John
Thurso and MSP Jamie Stone – do not qualify, as residents of north west
Sutherland and Caithness do – for the 40% reduction in air travel costs when
using the small Wick and other Highlands and Islands airports. The elderly, on
fixed incomes, are particularly affected.
Earlier
it was asked “what should be done to make sure that our transport system is
good enough”? We should also ask how we can
make
The Scottish Executive, Scottish Parliament and their
Westminster colleagues are urged to prepare and publish via the news media a
detailed comparison of prices of train and bus services over specific distances
in Europe and North America – and then enact legislation to ensure we are
comparable instead of being so far out of line that we in Britain are
unattractive to visit.
By
eliminating
the charges for community care services.
By
continuing, not stopping, the Winter Fuel Allowance for pensioners and
increasing it to cover the price of one tank of oil (as it used to do until
February 2004, now it covers only a fraction of it).
By
stopping Care and Repair cutbacks.
By
eliminating swimming pool charges
in all Council pools for the over-60s, or at
least for the over 50s who are medically deemed to be disabled.
The
Scottish Executive should arrange with the Highland Council and the bus operator
to have both more frequent local bus services (because without them no shopping
of frozen foods can be done, especially in the summer) and, for the first time,
to have request bus stops at the Co-op and the upcoming ASDA in Tain (25 miles
away), Lidl and Morrison in Alness (both 35 miles away). There are no bus stops
there now. Many elderly from Brora on fixed incomes would like to shop there for
better variety and less cost than at the small Co-op or Spa in Brora – and
make a day of it. The elderly need
access to less expensive stores such as Tesco (in Dingwall) or Lidl or Morrisons
or ASDA, for some products and services unavailable in Brora. HITRANS (
For
the ageing who are also disabled, Brora’s Highland Council parking for those
with Disabled Parking Badges will be improved substantially by the end of August
2006 with two new disabled parking areas. For the first time, they will carry
above-ground signs, on poles, to be much more noticeable than earlier on-ground
signs which are obscured by snow. It
is recommended that similar measures be taken elsewhere.
One
way is to accept and implement the more frequent bus routes and shopping bus
stops recommendation described above. Another is to consider asking age-specific
or age-related groups that are Scottish registered charities, such as Age
Concern Scotland; or Help the Aged; or Chest, Heart and Stroke Association to
have local or regional offices and/or support groups.
There is an acute need for more visitor-friendly facilities, especially for the elderly who come frequently on coach tours. For them especially, decent toilets are much-needed to improve the presently woefully inadequate facilities in the Brora Highland Council public car park. We would like our village to avoid in future the queues of mostly elderly people waiting for the toilet at Brora’s only such public facility.
Cost
of petrol. At over £1.03 a litre locally for
unleaded and £1.04 for diesel locally, among the highest prices in
the entire UK, with VAT also correspondingly high, and taxed at over
67%, all believe it is state-supported terrorism and people are livid about
it.
It
is rampant government profiteering from both the retail price and taxes
applicable. The elderly on fixed incomes are the most affected.
Cost
of oil and gas for domestic home heating. Most of us here in Brora have oil, not
gas. Oil prices have risen in this Northern Highland village from £0.1890
per litre in February 04 to 0.40 a litre plus VAT in May 2006. A 125%
increase in less than 2 years. Gas prices too are just as affected. The
Scottish Executive have promised an end to fuel poverty by 2010 or thereabouts
but in the meantime, more and more pensioners are affected. A reserved matter.
Sadly,
it is simply not true that there is always free central heating for the elderly,
as the Scottish Executive have claimed in this Strategy.
What free central heating is offered is full of provisos and
qualifications, including a means-test. Some people who are particularly
vulnerable and more deserving of free central heating than others, are excluded
for various reasons.
Current
EAGA requirements stipulate that if you don’t have central heating and can
qualify via a means test, you are eligible. But if you are deemed to have
central heating, even if your boiler is more than 36 years old, is operating at
only notional efficiency and has not been serviced for over 4 years because no
one will touch it as it is so old, you are deemed to have central heating. Two
Brora residents, always at home, one in mid 60s and registered as severely
disabled, the other a little younger and arthritic, with a 36 year old boiler
that is so inefficient that it requires them to do so, have to pay for not one,
not two, but THREE complete tank supplies each year.
Oil
alone costs them £2200 a year, more than 25% of their income. Since 2002, they
have not been able to get their boiler serviced, despite desperate attempts,
because it is so old. Worse, to try to save a little money because their boiler
is so wasteful, they limit themselves to only 3 hours of central heating a day.
This is a clear case of fuel poverty and how the Scottish Executive-approved
system is fair to some but manifestly unfair to others.
Cost
of annual TV licencing. £131.50 in 2006, £135.50 (US$271) in 2007. Many Brora elderly residents – including the over 60
but under 75 - have relatives in the
In
contrast, Americans and Canadians don’t pay a TV Licence at all, yet have the
same advanced TV plans for digital and HDTV. Even their nation-wide and very
fine (two of the authors of this paper have seen it and confirm its superiority
over the BBC) Public Broadcasting Service, free of commercial advertising, is
entirely free, with any payments for exceptional programming entirely voluntary.
Why must we have this licence at all for the under-75s and why is it more
extensive in
3.6
Other
To
help
In
terms of new technology, the local Community Learning Centre serves a most
useful purpose with its Computers for the Terrified and similar courses.
01408 622707.
Brora
has no obvious minority ethnic community.
The
Gatehouse,
The
Sutherland Access Panel, including some from Brora, serves those with physical
disabilities. It meets regularly in Lairg, does much sterling work and
participates in meetings with other access panels. It too is mentioned more
fully below.
How
are older people viewed by society?
The
older person is far too often thought of as a burden to society. Unfair and
unfounded myths and stereotypes are common.
Only the more considerate treat them with some courtesy and respect. A
minority treat them with contempt – for example, when they ignore Disabled
Parking signs – or cause malicious damage to cars, or don't have car insurance
and cost pensioners who have insurance a lot of money. Younger people need to
think about how they would like to be treated when they get older. Some women
residents particularly, over 50 years old, have become apprehensive about
shopping at night, for these reasons.
How
can we encourage businesses to provide products and services designed for older
people?
We
encourage extending the local shop delivery service to older people. It was a
service which was much in evidence not so long ago, in a display of the local
community spirit and level of caring we need to bring back into our lives.
Local
shops are certainly assets to the community, especially the elderly with no
personal transport. They have extended opening hours. But as convenience stores
without a delivery service, they are more expensive to the elderly on fixed
incomes than full-service shops and don’t have the services some elderly need.
Because
many older people have arthritis and/or reduced mobility, and often have
difficulty holding and unwrapping things, they would welcome any further
initiatives to make their life easier. One way might be to replace the small
plastic bags (made from oil) that many shops use with sturdy paper bags (made
from trees), of the type very common at supermarkets in the
The
Scottish Executive should encourage and welcome shops or organization
specialising in alternative energy systems such as solar panels that could help
reduce energy bills for the elderly – and others. Presently, there is not a
single supplier anywhere in the
4.
Extra Information
All the above and below were sent on 2nd June 2006 to Nicole Ronald, Scottish Executive, Area 2G (S), Victoria Quay, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ and were received on 5th June 2006.
Issues of very
serious concern to the elderly locally, regionally and nationally include:
I've
researched these purely as a non-political volunteer consumer activist and
advocate for seniors and disabled. People are often much more inclined to
speak more freely to individuals than to organizations when they know their
individual comments will not be recorded. They are in alphabetical order.
Age
addition £25 weekly in basic state pension to the over 75s.
Especially in view of the expenses they now have to bear that they never had to
before.
Anti-social
behaviour concerns. Fear of not being safe in one's homes and on the streets.
Anti-social behaviour by day and night by youths and the drunk and
disorderly is causing many older persons to be frightened. According to a
BBC News/ European News Report of
