THE FUTURE'S NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE......IT'S BRIGHTER
Making the most of your 50+ opportunities
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It's a fact of life - everyone gets older. Our priorities and interests may change but that doesn't mean we have to stop being active. After all, life is not just about survival - it's about how we live, the people we are and the people we can be. Besides, you have to have reached a certain age before you know there is no substitute for experience.
This leaflet says a bit about what's happening in Scotland to help us get more out of life both now and in the future.
Find out what's happening to help make our future brighter.
Use the contact details in this leaflet for more information.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN. . . THE WORKPLACE
As we get older we often like to make changes to what we do and the hours we work whether in an existing job, or if we are looking to re-enter the workplace after a period out of the job market.
More and more employers are recognising the experience and skills older workers can bring to their workforce. From 2006 age discrimination in the workplace will be unlawful.
Schemes such as New Deal 50+ can help older people who want to get back into the workforce.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN. . . LIFELONG LEARNING
Oscar Wilde said, "I'm not young enough to know everything". Learning certainly doesn't stop when we get older, perhaps that's when it really starts! There are more opportunities available now than ever before to help us get access to the satisfying experience of learning new skills and knowledge. It's never too late and learning is a great way to keep nimble in mind and spirit as well as helping us play a fuller part in both our wider society and our local communities.
For example: did you know that the fastest growing group of Internet users is people aged over 50? It's not just for boffins and computer kids. Don't be fazed by all the jargon, it's easy to use and opens up an amazing world of information and knowledge. You can keep in contact with people from all over the world as easily as if they were just next door.
Internet access is now available at a whole range of places, from hairdressers to libraries right across Scotland. So even if you don't have your own computer, there's more than likely somewhere nearby where you can get Internet access and start surfing the worldwide web.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN. . . VOLUNTEERING
Older people in Scotland make a tremendous contribution to society through volunteering, whether they call it that or not.
Volunteering is hugely satisfying while fulfilling a very important role within communities. It's a great way to meet people with similar interests. No matter what background and skills you have there is certain to be an organisation that would be delighted to hear from you. The opportunities to use and develop our skills are almost infinite.
The Active Communities Initiative and the Retired and Seniors Volunteer Programme support people, including older people, who want to contribute to our communities. It's now easier than ever for us to match our enthusiasm and skills to projects that need our help.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN. . . HEALTH
More of us than ever before can now look forward to a healthier old age.
Many people and organisations play their part in providing health care when people need it, but our most important health care provider is each one of us. We can weigh the odds in our favour. We can help ourselves stay healthy now and in the future by stopping smoking, eating well, drinking in moderation and keeping physically and mentally active.
However, many of us need looking after at some time. There are at least 600,000 people in Scotland, of all ages, who help care for family members, friends and neighbours who are ill or have a disability. They perform a hugely important role in our community.
If you are caring for someone, there is a wide range of support, training, advice and financial assistance available. Carers now have legal rights designed to ensure that their own health and well-being is looked after. Your local authority has more information.
And if you need care, remember that personal and nursing care are now free for people aged 65 and over who are assessed as needing it, although you may still have to contribute towards your living costs. Your local authority has more information.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN. . . LEISURE
There are leisure opportunities all around whether your tastes run to a day at the races or a night at the opera. Scotland has a huge variety of museums and galleries and a multitude of theatre, music, dance, arts, and sports clubs offering great opportunities to both participate and spectate. You can learn new skills, enjoy the skills of others, socialise and relax.
Entry to many museums and art galleries is free of charge or at a reduced rate and it's well worth checking local cinemas and theatres for special off-peak deals. Most local authorities provide reduced rates to their swimming pools and sports centres, where special classes and activities are organised for different age groups.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN. . . PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Getting out and about is key to making the most of everything that's going on. Public transport plays an important part in many people's lives. The great news is that women over 60 and men over 65 now have access to free local off-peak bus travel. (In April 2003 the Scottish Executive plans to reduce the qualifying age for men to 60 as well.)
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN. . . HOUSING
Anything that helps people to live independently is always welcome. There are a number of initiatives meant to help people live in comfort at home. These are a few examples.
The Scottish Executive's Central Heating Programme is providing warm, dry homes for people aged 60 and over. By March 2006 the Programme will have provided central heating systems and insulation to 70,000 households in both private and social housing. Already many households have central heating for the first time through the Programme. From April 2004 the Programme will also help people over 80 whose homes have partial or inefficient central heating.
Pensioners on benefit may also be eligible for the Warm Deal, which provides a package of home insulation measures worth up to 500. A lower grant worth up to 125 is available for pensioners not on benefit.
Care and Repair Schemes in most local authority areas can help owner occupiers with advice, access to grants and tradesmen to carry out the work.
WHAT'S HAPPENING. . . FIRST MINISTER
"Scots of all ages want opportunities to be active and to participate," says Scotland's First Minister, Jack McConnell. "The Scottish Executive is committed to enabling people to fulfil their potential and to contribute. Our job is to knock down the barriers that prevent this happening. That's why we are investing for all our futures in key areas such as transport, volunteer development, health and care services, lifelong learning, and better and warmer housing. And that's why we are working with our partners, including older people themselves, to develop services that respond to people's needs as they grow older.
The spending priorities we have announced - including building a healthy caring Scotland, a safer and fairer Scotland and an accessible Scotland - apply to people of all ages.
Our aim is to make Scotland an even better place for people to live by liberating the enthusiasm and experience of everyone in our society."
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN. . . INCOME
Our financial situation may change when our circumstances change. This may be because of illness, caring responsibilities, unemployment or retirement. There are a number of sources of financial assistance. You've earned it and owe it to yourself to make sure that you get all the financial help from the government you are entitled to.
Many of us may be entitled to state benefits but might not know about them, or know how to go about claiming them. Don't be put off by the thought of red tape, there are many sources of information on what you might be entitled to, and help with applications and form filling.
USEFUL CONTACTS
LEISURE
HEALTH SERVICES
- NHS Helpline: 0800 22 44 88 (freephone)
HEALTHY LIVING
CARERS
- General Information: 0800 22 44 88 (freephone)
- Princess Royal Trust for Carers - number in your local phone book www.carers.org
LEARNING IN YOUR LOCAL AREA
VOLUNTEERING
FREE PERSONAL CARE
- General information: 0800 22 44 88 (freephone)
- Contact your local authority social work services to discuss your individual circumstances
INTERNET ACCESS
HOUSING
FREE OFF-PEAK LOCAL BUS TRAVEL
- Contact your local authority
WORKPLACE
Vacancies
INCOME IN RETIREMENT
GENERAL INFORMATION SOURCES
This leaflet just gives a flavour of what's available. To find out more - use the contact information here
- look out for the Scottish version of the Pensioners' guide. Phone 0845 6 065 065 to have a copy sent to you. A service for textphone users is also available on 0845 6 064 064.
Tell your friends! For more copies of this leaflet phone free on 0800 783 4183. This leaflet is also available in large print, Braille, audio tape, Gaelic, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, Gudjhurati, Arabic and Cantonese. |