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22-Point Charter Drawn Up to Aid Elderly
Evening Times
Scotland
August 19, 2005
An Action plan has been drawn up to improve the lives of thousands of elderly people in Glasgow.
All the city's main agencies have got together to compile the 22-point charter to be implemented over the next year.
They include the city council, Strathclyde Police, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, Strathclyde Passenger Transport, NHS Greater Glasgow, West of Scotland Seniors Forum, the Scottish Pensioners' Forum and Glasgow Old People's Welfare Association.
The actions fall into five different categories.
The Charter also vows to:
.Talk to SPT and transport firms to address the concerns of the elderly.
.Monitor charges for home help and leisure services.
.Ensure the elderly are aware of housing and council tax benefits.
.Support groups tackling age discrimination.
.Provide information about services.
.Work with the NHS to improve information for carers.
Older people will also be helped to get all the benefits to which they are entitled.
The charter will also improve information for carers and help them exercise their rights.
It was drawn up after consultation with elderly people and the council has vowed to continue to visit clubs for older people to hear their views.
Around 15% of the city's population - about 88,260 people - are aged 65 or over, half of them are over 75 and 47% live alone.
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