Like any age group, older people are a diverse community with different needs, hopes and ambitions.
Some might look forward to a later life revolving around friends and family or mastering new skills, while others could find purpose continuing in a job they love or diving into volunteering roles and helping others.
Sadly, this vision of a later life – on your own terms, free from the constraints of poverty – isn’t the reality for many older people living in Scotland.
What did we find?
Our conversations with older people across Scotland and the problems they shared with us clearly show how widespread the issues are that people in later life face: from money worries and problems accessing health and care support, to living in an area with no transport or being on the receiving end of ageism.
Poverty and money worries
In Scotland, 1 in 7 older people live in poverty. We heard from many that they don’t have enough to live on, which causes them stress and anxiety.
Inadequate housing
The current housing system is not adequately meeting the needs of older people – needs that range from older renters struggling with rising rent costs to older people being scared to complain to their landlord about poor standards because they fear eviction.
Key statistics
46% of older people in poverty have a disability
15% of pensioners in Scotland are in poverty (150,000 in total)
51% of older people in poverty are renters
Why do we need a commissioner?
A Commissioner for Older People would help to combat older people’s feelings of powerlessness, amplifying their often-unheard voices so that they can feel part of our society.
A commissioner would be able to provide expertise and best practice to government and other institutions, so that services meet the needs of a diverse older community.
And a commissioner would work as an independent champion, bringing together older people and professionals in government, the NHS, business and elsewhere to tackle the complex challenges older people experience.
What are we calling for?
We are calling on the Scottish Government to introduce an Older People’s Commissioner for Scotland.
Want to know more?
Our full report is available to download and read. You'll hear directly from older people about the barriers stopping them from enjoying the later life they'd planned for, and how a Commissioner for Older People could help.
You might also be interested in...
> reading more about why we need a Commissioner and how you can support our campaign
> signing our support statement for a Commissioner in Scotland