Introduction
Older people are an asset to this country and preparing for an increasingly ageing population is one of our biggest national challenges. Our older population is likely to increase by around two thirds in the next twenty years and because of this we need to change how we deliver care. Estimates suggest Scotland's older population is going to grow by 21 per cent between 2006 and 2016, and by 62 per cent by 2031.
Around 90,000 older people receive some kind of care, whether in their own home, a care home or long-term hospital care. If we continue delivering care the way we do right now, an extra 23,000 people will need care by 2016.
The status quo is unsustainable.
That is why we needed to have a national debate. From March until September 2010 we carried out a public engagement exercise up and down the country, engaging with communities across Scotland about how we can change the way we deliver care.
Scotland has already been ahead of the game in introducing free personal care and can be ahead of the game again. But we must start taking action now and that action has to be radical.
For more information on the public engagement exercise, please see the link to documents and event reports.