Crossreach Warns Of Elderely ‘Crisis’

Church leaders are warning that Scotland faces a crisis unless older people are put at the top of the political agenda.

CrossReach, the social care arm of the Church of Scotland, will call on the Scottish Government to appoint a minister for older people when its holds an international dementia conference next month.

It claims that the country does not have enough services to cope with the growing number of elderly people and age-related illnesses.

The organisation wants all groups involved in working with the aged to search for a solution.

CrossReach chief executive Alan Staff said: “Before too long we will have a crisis on our hands.

“The UK simply does not have adequate services to cope with an ageing population and the inevitable increase in people with age-related illnesses, such as dementia.

“Scotland and the UK as a whole needs a coherent plan for addressing this issue. Currently there is no such plan.”

Mr Staff called for “meaningful dialogue” between the government and public and third sectors.

“I believe the third sector has the expertise, capacity and capability to help find a solution before the situation spirals out of control,” he said.

Delegates from all over the UK will attend the conference in Glasgow on April 30.

Among the speakers are Public Health Minister Shona Robison; Professor June Andrews, director of the Dementia Development Centre at Stirling University, and chief executive of the Care Commission Jacquie Roberts.

CrossReach opened the first specialist dementia unit in Scotland 25 years ago and continues to be a leader in the field of specialist dementia care.