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Scotland's growing older population must be treated with dignity and respect in their homes, Scottish Ministers and Cosla said today in a blueprint that looks 10 years into the future.

The number of people aged 60 and over is projected to increase to over 1.7 million by 2035, a 46 per cent increase since 2010.

The Older People's Housing Strategy stresses the importance of supporting people to remain at home independently for as long as possible, rather than premature or inappropriate admissions to care homes or hospitals.

It aims to promote a range of housing and support services, enabling older people to choose the services which are best for them.

A key focus will be placed on preventative services that are crucial in helping to reduce accidents and emergency hospital admissions.

The Spending Review marked a decisive shift towards preventative spending, focussing on delivering better outcomes and value for money.

Housing Minister Keith Brown said:

"The hallmark of a civilised nation is the way in which it treats its older citizens. Scotland's older people have made, and continue to make, an invaluable contribution to our society. They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect in their old age.

"This national strategy sets out our vision for housing and support for older people, along with a framework for delivery. It aims to help them to live independently, comfortably and safely at home in their communities where they are valued as an asset and their voices are heard.

"The vast majority of older people will continue to live in mainstream housing. However, there is still a vital role for providers of sheltered housing and extra care housing in reaching out to support older people in the wider community

"Against this demographic backdrop we face the most challenging financial situation since devolution, with a cut of 12 per cent in real terms to the Scottish Government's budget, and 32 per cent in the capital budget by 2014-15.

"It is therefore important to invest resources wisely in Housing, Social Care and Health. This new strategy has been developed in partnership with Cosla. We will work together to deliver the best housing based solutions for our older people."

Cosla spokesperson for Housing, Councillor Harry McGuigan said:

"We are delighted to launch today this joint strategy with the Scottish Government. We have long put forward that we need to see the huge value in older people in our society and listen to their views and concerns.

"Older people have consistently told us that they want to remain at home, as they age. This strategy is a major step towards putting in place the right services that allow people to remain at home and giving older people the choices they need, to live the best lives possible.

"In the current economic climate the resulting pressures on local government finances are huge. However, if we can make changes in the way we prepare for old age, work in partnership with other agencies and move money from costly interventions into prevention, we are on the right track. Providing the right support can provide the key to enabling people to remain independently at home and, in most cases, costs a fraction of the residential care alternatives. "While this strategy focuses on those older people who have particular housing-related needs, we must remember that older people, whether or not they need support, contribute much to our communities. Many unpaid carers are also older, as are many volunteers who provide other forms of support to older people.

"Older people may be the ones who benefit most directly from this strategy, but if we can achieve its aims, we will all - as a community and of whatever age - benefit in the long term."

Age Scotland said:

"Age Scotland is proud to be associated with this Strategy, which we believe has tremendous potential to have a positive impact on older people.

"From the focus on preventative support to the need for comprehensive information and advice, the Strategy addresses each of the key areas in which change is necessary if we are to achieve our shared ambitions of enabling older people to remain at home for as long as possible, and as active citizens within their communities.

"There is much to do, and the role of local authorities is central to the Strategy's full implementation. That's why Age Scotland is delighted that COSLA has fully endorsed the Strategy and we look forward to seeing the progress made by its members towards improving later life for Scotland's older people."

It has been developed in partnership with a working group - COSLA, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, Age Scotland and Care and Repair Scotland, and with older people through Age Scotland's Local Housing Panels.

The number of people aged 60 and over is projected to increase to over 1.7 million by 2035, a 46 per cent increase since 2010.

The number of people aged 75 and over is projected to increase to almost 740,000 by 2035, an 82 per cent increase since 2010.

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