Better deal for old folk in Monklands

Oct 1 2008 by Charlie Rowney, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

PENSIONERS across Monklands will enjoy a better quality of life thanks to a radical new approach to the care of older people.

The council’s new ways of supporting the older generation and ensuring they enjoy later life, dubbed Living Well in North Lanarkshire, has never been tried in Scotland before.

As part of the new approach, older people are being consulted on everything from housing and employment opportunities, to social activities and health care in a bid to not only help maintain their independence but to also radically change the perception of elderly people.

Living Well in North Lanarkshire was created as a result of consultations between NLC, NHS Lanarkshire and groups representing older people and their carers.

Voluntary groups represented were Voice of Experience Forum, North Lanarkshire Carers Together, Alzheimer Scotland, Action on Dementia and Cumbernauld Action for the Care of the Elderly.

The new strategy is expected to have such a positive impact, local authorities throughout the UK and Europe have expressed an interest in learning more about the new approach.

Councillor Paul Kelly, Depute convener of housing and social work services, who is leading the group which will bring about these changes, said: “This strategy challenges public agencies, businesses and communities to recognise and maximise the contribution older people make to our communities. It also clearly shows that NLC is leading the way in attempting to dramatically change the perception of older people and together we are determined to meet this challenge.

“This is just the start of the journey. By working together we will be helping to bring about a change in our society and in our communities so that in years to come, we will recognise the positive opportunities of growing older and the significant contribution older people make to our communities.

“An ageing population is a benefit, not a burden, to society.”

Some examples of how older people are being supported in North Lanarkshire include the integrated day services for older people, the first of these opened in Coatbridge in January 2007 and another four are planned for the coming year.

The council has also developed new posts of locality link officers. These officers identify older people who are isolated in the community and assist them to link in with a range of community based resources in their area.

They also help to develop the amount of resources in each area and regularly organise events and activity sessions for those living there.

Liz Seaton, North Lanarkshire Carers Together, said: “This is so important for older carers and having the backing of North Lanarkshire Council has been a real bonus.

“There has been so much hard work put in by representatives of the volunteer organisations and the completed strategy will now be taken forward positively.”

Ken Corsar, Chair of NHS Lanarkshire, added: “The strategy recognises that older people should be valued as active members of the community who are able to contribute as well as be supported.”