Age Maze - Age UK

Age Maze Your guide to later life in Scotland 2018

2018 Edition The Age Scotland Helpline can provide information and advice, relevant leaflets or the details of an organisation that could help you if there is anything else you need to know. Call 0800 12 44 222. This booklet is intended as a guide only and is not a full and definitive statement of the law. Age Scotland and Age UK produce leaflets which explain issues in more depth than this guide. Call Age Scotland’s helpline on 0800 12 44 222 for copies of leaflets and a list of our current Age Scotland and Age UK publications.

Age Maze

Contents Welcome p2 Money matters

p3

Equality and human rights

p17

Housing options

p21

Health and care services

p25

Travel

p33

Employment issues for older people

p35

Legal and end of life issues

p37

Enjoy later life

p39

Information and advice

p43

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Age Maze

Welcome to the Age Maze, your guide to later life in Scotland Introduction from the Chief Executive Age Scotland knows about the issues involved in growing older in Scotland. This Age Maze aims to point you towards the information you may need and the organisations that exist to help you. Later life may bring changes and opportunities to your life and you may need to know about organisations and services which are unfamiliar to you. Much of the legislation which gives older people in Scotland rights and protections differs from that in England because of the way the legal systems have evolved. Within this guide Benefits, Equalities and Human Rights and Employment are UK-wide but most other rights are specifically Scottish legislation.

Brian Sloan, Chief Executive

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Money matters When you retire, your financial situation is likely to change and you may need to adjust your budgeting habits. This may be the perfect time to check that you have a good grip on your finances. You should look at: • Your income, including pensions, annuities and any benefits you are entitled to claim. • Your savings and investments; check that you are getting the best rate of interest available. • Your spending - list everything you spend money on, prioritise your essential expenditure and make sure all your outgoings are under control. » Check your bank statements regularly to make sure you know what all the payments are for. » Review your insurance policies, fuel tariffs and telephone and broadband charges when they are due for renewal to make sure you are getting the best deal. • Make a list of anyone you owe money to; overdrafts, credit cards, loans. If your expenditure is higher than your income or you have debts that are hard to manage, call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222 or your local Citizens Advice Bureau to discuss your options.

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Money matters

If you want to make sure you are managing your money well, contact the Money Advice Service. They offer clear, unbiased information and advice about pensions, saving, borrowing and budgeting. Call 0800 138 777 or visit www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk. For advice about debt, budgeting and financial planning you can also contact Scotland’s Financial Health service on 0800 731 4722 or visit www.scotlandsfinancialhealthservice.gov.uk.

Income Tax If you are liable to pay income tax, check you are paying the right amount. For information about income tax and older people you can check the Tax Help for Older People website at www.taxvol.org.uk or contact them on 0845 601 3321.

Money matters planning If you are on a fixed retirement income, it is more important than ever to plan for the costs you may face in later life. Common problems faced by older people are: • The costs of maintaining or repairing your home: general maintenance costs are not covered by insurance. • Pressure from family members for a gift or loan of money which is needed for future costs. • Giving away money or property and later finding that this affects entitlement to benefits or help with the costs of care. Call the Age Scotland helpline if you want to know more.

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Money matters

Personal Pensions The rules about personal pensions changed in April 2015 so people can access their pension savings in different ways and make more choices about how to use them from the age of 55. People can take up to a quarter of their pension savings tax free and are able to choose whether to buy an annuity, withdraw funds at different times or decide on a combination of these choices. From April 2015 free and impartial guidance is available from Pension Wise or The Pensions Advisory Service. It is important to get advice to make the right decisions for you – this will depend on a range of personal issues including your age, income, how much tax you would have to pay and the possible effect on means-tested benefits and means-tested contributions towards the costs of your care. For more information contact Pension Wise on 0800 138 3944 to book a free appointment or visit www.pensionwise.gov.uk. To contact The Pensions Advisory Service call 0300 123 1047 or visit www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk.

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Money matters

Consumer rights If you are on a fixed income every penny is precious and you need to ensure that any purchases you make are good value and sort out any problems if what you buy isn’t up to scratch. Anything you purchase should be: • Of satisfactory quality, • Fit for its purpose, • Matching its description. If you are not happy with goods or services and you want to complain: • Think about the outcome you want before you take any action. This could range from an apology all the way up to legal action. • First complain to the trader or service provider to make sure they are aware of the issue. It may be that the problem can be sorted out quickly. • Gather as much evidence as possible – this could be paperwork, photographs, letters, emails or witness statements to back up your claim. It may also be useful to keep a diary of your experience if the problem is on-going. The Citizens Advice Consumer service provides free, confidential and impartial advice on consumer issues. They can be contacted on 03454 04 05 06 or you can email your enquiry through the online form on www.adviceguide.org.uk/scotland.

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Money matters

Benefits The benefits system exists to provide support but the rules for claiming can be difficult to work your way through. Don’t let this put you off claiming. Billions of pounds of benefits go unclaimed each year so if you want to check whether you qualify, how to make a claim or have a question about your current entitlement, contact the Age Scotland helpline. Don’t delay in asking for advice or help, as rules about backdating benefits or disputing decisions are very strict. The benefits system frequently changes, and will change further over the next few years as the Scottish Government will have powers over benefits including disability related benefits, benefits for carers, cold weather payments, winter fuel payments and funeral payments. Age Scotland has produced a leaflet Benefit and pension changes which will be kept up to date as benefit rules change. Your entitlement to benefit could depend on any of the following: • Your age, • If you have ill health or a disability, • Whether you are a carer, • Your National Insurance contributions or credits, • Your income and sometimes your partner’s income, • The savings you have, • Your immigration status and how long you have lived in the UK. Age Scotland produces leaflets about benefits for older people in Scotland including our Benefits Maze general guide. The following information is about the benefits most likely to be claimed by older people; if you need information and advice about other benefits such as bereavement benefits, industrial injuries benefits or benefits for veterans, contact the Age Scotland helpline for advice. 7

Money matters

What is State Pension Age? State Pension Age used to be 60 for women and 65 for men but it is gradually increasing. It will be 64 and six months in April 2018. If you are a woman your State Pension Age now depends on exactly when you were born. Whether you are a man or a woman the date when you can claim Pension Credit is the date when a woman of your age would be able to claim her state pension. To find the relevant date for you, call the Pension Service on 0800 731 7898, check the State Pension Age calculator on the gov.uk website www.gov.uk/calculate-state-pension or call the Age Scotland helpline and we will find the relevant date for you.

Benefits approaching State Pension age There are a range of “Working age” benefits which you may be receiving or entitled to claim as you approach state pension age. Your rights will depend on your income, health, savings, family circumstances and the number of hours you work. A monthly benefit called Universal Credit is being phased in across the country to replace all working-age means-tested benefits apart from help with council tax. For advice about working age benefits and whether Universal Credit will affect you, call the Age Scotland helpline. If you are claiming a benefit and receive a letter saying you now have to claim another benefit instead, get advice quickly about the different rules for the new benefit.

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Money matters

Benefits which can be claimed before or after State Pension Age Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Disability Living Allowance used to be the “working age” disability benefit and it is still received by many people but since June 2013 it has not been possible for older people to make a new claim. If you are aged 16 to 64 and have started to have care or mobility needs, you will need to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead. If you were 65 or over on the 8th of April 2013 and you were receiving DLA on that date, you can continue to claim it for as long as you meet the criteria and you may be able to receive a higher rate if your condition gets worse. If you are receiving DLA and your award ends or you report a change in circumstances, you may be invited to claim PIP instead. If you do not choose to claim PIP, your DLA award will end. Call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222 for advice on your individual situation.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Personal Independence Payment is the main disability benefit for people aged between 16 and 64 and will eventually replace Disability Living Allowance. It can be paid to people who have a disability or long-term health condition which leads them to need help with “daily living” or who have mobility problems. To receive PIP you must have met the disability conditions for 3 months before your claim and expect to continue for at least 9 months after (these time limits do not apply if you are terminally ill). PIP is tax free, not means-tested and you do not need to have paid National Insurance contributions.

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Money matters

PIP has two parts – a daily living component, and a mobility component. They are paid at different rates, depending on your ability to carry out a range of activities such as preparing food, communicating and planning a journey or moving around. PIP can continue to be paid after the age of 65. If you receive the enhanced rate mobility component of PIP, you can use your allowance to lease a car or electric scooter through the Motability scheme. To find out more, call Motability on 0300 456 4566 or see their website www.motability.co.uk.

Carer’s Allowance Carer’s Allowance is a benefit for people who care for someone who receives Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance care component (high or middle rate), Personal Independence Payment daily living component or Armed Forces Independence Payment. Carer’s Allowance is not means-tested and does not depend on National Insurance (NI) contributions but it does have rules about your earnings: you must not earn more than £116 a week after expenses (until April 2018) or £120 (after April 2018). You must provide care for more than 35 hours a week. If you think you qualify for Carer’s Allowance but are already claiming other benefits, you should seek advice about how these benefits will interact. Your claim for Carer’s Allowance could reduce the benefits of the person you care for but may increase your own entitlements - so you should each have a benefits check. In Scotland, Carer’s Allowance for working age people is due to change in summer 2018 so carers will no longer receive less than people who are unemployed. Call the Age Scotland helpline for more information. To obtain a claim form for Carer’s Allowance, phone 0800 055 6688. For more detail see our guides Advice for Carers and Carer’s Allowance. 10

Money matters

Housing Benefit Housing Benefit provides help with rent and is administered by your council. They should give you a form to complete so they can look at your income and savings alongside the level of rent you are required to pay, the size of your home, the circumstances of your family and who else lives with you. When this benefit is paid to private tenants, it is based on the ‘Local Housing Allowance’ figures for rent. When it is paid to council or housing association tenants, it can be restricted if you are “working age” and have more bedrooms than you are considered to need. If your housing benefit does not cover your rent there may be discretionary help available to help you meet the costs. People who receive certain means-tested benefits should automatically receive Housing Benefit but you should still check with your council to ensure they have all the information they need to process your claim. Housing benefit will be replaced under welfare reform changes as Universal Credit is introduced, but help with rent costs will still be available.

Council Tax Reduction Council Tax Reduction is one way of reducing your Council Tax bill. It is administered by your local council and it is calculated in a similar way to Housing Benefit. Council Tax Reduction cannot reduce the water and sewerage charges included in your Council Tax bill but you may get other help with these costs. There are also discounts that can reduce your Council tax bill - for more information see our information leaflets on Council Tax and Council Tax Reduction or call the Age Scotland helpline.

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Money matters

The Social Fund The Social Fund can provide grants or interest-free loans to people claiming certain means-tested benefits. Decisions are made taking into account your income, savings, health, family circumstances and (for loans) your ability to pay the money back. An advance payment of benefit can help with living costs while waiting for a benefit payment. Budgeting loans can be claimed by people who have been on the relevant means-tested benefits for at least 26 weeks. They can pay for things like a cooker, furniture or removal expenses. You should always find out if you qualify for a grant from the Scottish Welfare Fund first as this would not have to be repaid. Funeral Payments can be made to help pay for the cost of a funeral. The person arranging the funeral must be claiming certain meanstested benefits and there are complex rules about who can receive help, so get advice if you think you need to make a claim. In Scotland, the rules for help with funeral costs are likely to change in 2019.

The Scottish Welfare Fund The Scottish Welfare Fund is a Scottish Government scheme which aims to help people who are experiencing a crisis or who need support to live independently in the community. Scottish Welfare Fund payments do not have to be repaid. The Scottish Welfare Fund is made up of two separate types of grant. Crisis Grants provide a safety net in the event of a disaster or emergency. Community Care Grants help people who are leaving care or who need help to live independently. They can help with payment for essential items such as a cooker, washing machine or removal expenses. For more information see our leaflet The Scottish Welfare Fund.

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Money matters

Cold Weather Payments These are paid automatically to people on certain benefits by the Department for Work and Pensions when the average temperature is, or is forecast to be, less than zero degrees Celsius for seven days in a row. The temperatures are recorded by local weather stations, and the payments are made based on your postcode. Check your local paper during cold weather, as the payments due and the postcodes they will cover are often advertised. You will automatically receive a payment if you receive Pension Credit.

Benefits at State Pension age As State Pension age is increasing, different people will qualify for their State Retirement Pension (and Pension Credit) at different ages.

State Retirement Pension State Retirement Pension is based on National Insurance contributions or credits, and is paid once you have reached your State Pension age. The amount you receive depends on how many years you have worked, your contributions and sometimes the contributions of your husband, wife or civil partner. You do not have to claim your State Pension when you become entitled to it, you could “defer” your pension and receive a higher amount when you claim later on. You can ask for a forecast of your state pension by calling the Pension Service on 0800 731 7898 or visit www.gov.uk/statepension-statement and enter your details. If the Pension Service has not contacted you about three months before you reach your Pension age, you should contact them to make a claim for your State Pension.

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Money matters

New Single tier state pension from April 2016 The rules for State Pension changed for new pensioners from April 2016. Existing pensioners will not be affected by these changes but they will affect women born on or after 6 April 1953 and men born on or after 6 April 1951. To receive the full amount of the new “Single tier” State pension, people need to have 35 years of National Insurance payments or credits and the standard amount is set at a level so fewer people will need to claim Pension Credit.

Pension Credit Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit for people who are living below an income level set by the government. You can claim if you are resident in the UK, have a low level of income and modest savings and have reached Pension Credit qualifying age (State Pension age for a woman of your age). It can include help with mortgage interest costs but from April 2018 this help with mortgage interest will be paid to you as a loan. Pension Credit has two elements: Guarantee Credit - If your income is below the “minimum guarantee”, the Guarantee Credit makes up the difference Savings Credit - If you are 65 or over and have savings or income above a specified level, you may be able to receive this extra amount to increase your income. This is not available to people who qualify for their state pension after April 2016.

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Money matters

Pension Credit and couples You can claim Pension Credit as a couple even if your partner is under Pension Credit qualifying age, but once Universal Credit is fully introduced for new claims, which is due to be late 2018, you will not be able to claim Pension Credit until the younger partner reaches their Pension Credit qualifying age. You are considered to be part of a couple if you are living with your spouse or civil partner, or living with someone as if you are married or in a civil partnership.

Pension Credit and other help Claiming Pension Credit can help you to qualify for other support such as Housing Benefit and help with Council Tax (but you don’t have to be claiming Pension Credit to qualify for help with rent or council tax). If you receive Guarantee Pension Credit you will also get help with the costs of NHS glasses and dental treatment. If you don’t qualify for Pension Credit, you may still qualify for help with glasses and dental treatment under the NHS Low Income Scheme. Call the Age Scotland helpline for more information. To claim Pension Credit, contact the Pension Service on 0800 731 7898 or visit www.dwp.gov.uk/thepensionservice.

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Money matters

Attendance Allowance Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people who are 65 or over who have a physical or mental disability which means that they need care or supervision. It is a tax free benefit and is not means-tested so you can apply regardless of how much income or savings you have. Attendance Allowance is paid at two rates: a lower rate if you have daytime or night-time care needs and a higher rate if you have both day time and night-time care needs. You do not need to actually have a carer, but you will need to explain why you need help with daily living. You must have needed help for at least six months before you claim (there are exceptions to the time limit if you are terminally ill). Once you receive it, you can use the benefit to pay for whatever you need. To obtain a claim form for Attendance Allowance, phone 0345 605 6055. Attendance Allowance does not include any help with mobility problems, so if you are still under 65 you should not delay in claiming Personal Independence Payment as PIP can be paid because you have mobility problems.

Winter Fuel Payments A Winter Fuel Payment is an annual tax-free lump sum to help with winter heating costs. It is usually paid automatically, but people need to make a claim if they are not claiming welfare benefits and have not received a payment before. The age when you will qualify is increasing and is linked to retirement pension age for a woman. If you have not received a payment before and think you are entitled, or are not clear about your entitlement, you should contact the Winter Fuel Payments Helpline on 03459 15 15 15.

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Equality & human rights Your rights do not diminish as you get older, but unfortunately some older people find that other people make assumptions about them and treat them differently because of their age or a long-term condition or disability. The legislation which is intended to protect people from unfair treatment includes the Equality Act 2010 and Human Rights legislation. Discrimination occurs when someone makes an assumption about you because of your age (or another “protected characteristic”) and treats you differently because of it. Sometimes you may need to point out that someone’s assumptions about you are not true, sometimes you may need information and advice to decide whether to take further action. It may be difficult to prove that you have experienced unfair treatment which is unlawful as there are very specific rules about this. If you think this may apply to you, seek specialist advice about the legal issues around your complaint and to make sure you present your case as effectively as possible. For specialist advice, contact the Equality Advisory Support Service discrimination helpline on 0808 800 0082.

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Equality & human rights

The Equality Act 2010 The Equality Act 2010 provides some legal protection against being treated differently on the grounds of • Age, • Disability, • Gender reassignment, • Marriage or civil partnership (in employment only), • Pregnancy and maternity, • Race, • Religion or belief, • Sex or sexual orientation. The Equality Act protects people from being discriminated against by employers, banks and businesses, health and care providers, landlords, education providers and local authorities. If you believe you are experiencing discrimination, call the Age Scotland helpline for information or, for specialist advice, contact the Equality Advisory Support Service discrimination helpline on 0808 800 0082.

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The Human Rights Act 1998 Your Human Rights should be respected by public bodies such as the government, courts, local authorities and the NHS. Human Rights have had a bad press at times, but they are important principles and are rights which most people would want. They are • The right to life, • Freedom from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment, • The right to liberty and security, • Freedom from slavery and forced labour, • The right to a fair trial, • No punishment without law, • Respect for your private and family life, home and correspondence, • Freedom of thought, belief and religion, • Freedom of expression, • Freedom of assembly and association, • The right to marry and start a family, • Protection from discrimination in respect of these rights and freedoms, • The right to peaceful enjoyment of your property, • The right to education. • The right to participate in free elections

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These are rights which you may have taken for granted throughout your life, but if you need help from other people and other services as you become older it is useful to be aware of these rights and where you can get advice if they are not respected. Call the Age Scotland helpline for more information. These rights might seem rather remote but they do have a real and significant impact on older peoples’ lives, including • protection against age discrimination at work, • a rights-based approach to developing care and hospital standards, and • maintaining quality of life for people who are living with dementia. Scotland has a Human Rights Action Plan which you can find on the Scottish Human Rights Commission website at www.scottishhumanrights.com.

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Housing options Many people are aware of the need to plan financially for retirement but fewer people plan for their future housing needs. It is a good idea to plan as early as you can for where you want to live and the type of housing which would best suit your needs. If you want to stay where you are, there may be adaptations or improvements which can help you to remain safe and independent for as long as possible. If you anticipate your housing needs, you are less likely to have to make a choice you are not comfortable with if your health deteriorates. If you are making decisions about selling or transferring the ownership of property or investing in jointly owned property, make sure you get independent legal advice to make sure your rights are protected in case there are problems later on. What you want and need from your home will be personal to you. Your housing options will depend on your financial situation, the care and support you need (or expect to need) and what housing is available in the area where you want to live. Staying in your own home has obvious benefits. You are surrounded by a lifetime’s collection of possessions and memories, you may have friends and family nearby to help, you may have a garden, and you can keep any pets living with you. Being familiar with your home environment can be particularly important if you have a visual impairment or dementia.

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Housing options

If you are thinking about your housing options, ask yourself • How easy is it for you to get to services such as shops, banks, doctors, dentists, opticians and chemists? • Can you get out and enjoy leisure and social opportunities? • Are there good transport links? • How would you manage if you were no longer able to drive? • Are you more at home in a rural or urban environment? • Are neighbours friendly, indifferent, or a problem? • Do you have a good relationship with regular local carers? • Do you have family or friends nearby for company and support? • If you become unwell, who will be nearby to help you? Options for moving to another property include downsizing, buying dedicated retirement housing, renting sheltered accommodation, moving in with family or moving into a care home. See Age Scotland’s Housing options guide for more information.

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Housing options

Energy Advice Home Energy Scotland can offer advice on energy efficiency measures and fuel costs. You can call them on 0800 808 2282 and their advisers will answer your questions about heating and insulating your home, saving energy and cutting costs, and advise you of any energy efficiency offers that may be available to help you get ready for winter. You could ask your fuel supplier to include your name on its Priority Service Register (this is normally available to people who are aged 60 or over or have a disability). This will ensure that the supplier is aware of your situation if there is a power cut. To report a power cut call 105. If you need to find out about repairs or adaptations contact Care and Repair Scotland on 0141 221 9879 or see www.careandrepairscotland.co.uk for contact details of your local service. You should feel secure in and around your home; contact your local Police Scotland Crime Prevention Officer if you would like advice on home security (call the non-emergency number 101). The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service may be able to visit to carry out a fire safety check and to install free fire alarms if you need them, just call 0800 0731 999. We have worked with NHS Health Scotland to produce a leaflet called Up and about which gives advice about reducing the risk of falling in your home.

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Housing options

On your doorstep If you are concerned about bogus callers (who may pretend to be from the local council, gas, water or electricity companies or police) and other forms of doorstep crime, remember to: • Put on the door chain when you answer the door to a stranger. • Ask for an identification card. • Check the identification, ask the caller who they represent, then find the number in the phone book (not the number the caller gives you) to check they are genuine. • If you suspect a bogus caller, contact the police straight away.

For more information see Age UK’s guide Staying safe

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Health & care services Care in your home If you think you need support to live comfortably and safely at home, contact your council’s social work department for an assessment of your needs. The council may not carry out the assessment itself, a health professional may do this instead. The council’s social work department should assess what help you need and should arrange services to meet the needs they have identified. They could do this, for example, by arranging for equipment or adaptations in your home, provide home care support or by providing services to help any carers who look after you. The help provided could include social care, health services and housing services. You should have a copy of the information about the care which has been agreed. Your council is likely to have a waiting list for a care needs assessment; if you need help because you are at risk, make sure the social work department knows that you need urgent help.

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Health & care services

In Scotland, if you are over 65 and your council has agreed that you need ‘personal care’ at home, the council will provide this for you free of charge. Free personal care includes: • Help with washing yourself. • Assistance in managing continence. • Help with eating, managing and preparing a specialist diet (such as pureeing foods). • Assistance to move around indoors. • Help with simple medical treatments, for example changing dressings or applying creams. You can find the full list of what counts as personal care in Age Scotland’s guide Care and Support at home: assessment and funding. If you are under 65, you may have to pay for personal care services you need, depending on your situation. Each social work department must publish its own charging policy, which is usually based on your income and savings. You are entitled to complain if you think you are being unfairly treated – see our publications Care at home and Care and support at home: assessment and funding.

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Caring for someone else You may be looking after another person, such as your husband, wife, partner, parent or another relative. You may not consider yourself to be a carer and think you are just helping your family, but you can ask for help if you are finding things difficult or you are becoming tired and need a break. You are entitled to a carer’s assessment from your local social work department which should look at what support would help you and you may be entitled to claim Carer’s Allowance. There are specialist organisations which support carers: Carers Scotland Tel: 0808 808 7777 www.carersuk.org/scotland Carers Trust Tel: 0300 123 2008 www.carers.org For more information, see our leaflets Care and support at home: assessment and funding and Advice for Carers.

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Self-directed support Once the social work department has agreed that you need care in your home, you should be offered the option of self-directed support. You should have the following options:

Option 1 - Take a Direct Payment If you choose this option, you will manage all your own budget and have full control over your support at home. The local council will decide how much money you qualify for and you could, for example, pay a care service directly or employ your own care staff. This options provides you with the most control out of the four options and comes with the most responsibility.

Option 2 – Choose your care With this option, you choose the care and support provider you want and the local council arranges and manages your care and your budget. This gives you more choice about care provision without the responsibility of managing the money yourself.

Option 3 – Council manages your care Ask the local council to arrange and manage your care. After the social work team has completed its assessment, it will arrange all your care and support. This involves the least responsibility out of the four options, but it also means that you have the least amount of choice about the management and delivery of your care.

Option 4 – A mixture of all the above If you need advice and support about setting up self-directed support, or managing problems, you can get more information from:

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Self Directed Support in Scotland This Scottish Government website offers up-to-date information about self-directed support in Scotland. It also provides details of local support services that you can contact for help and advice, which may include advice from your local council. www.selfdirectedsupportscotland.org.uk

Care Homes If you think you may need to move in to a care home, ask your local social work department to carry out an assessment of your care needs to see if there is another housing option which would suit you better (such as staying at home with a care package, or moving to sheltered accommodation) and to establish whether you qualify for free personal and nursing care. In Scotland, if you are aged over 65 and move into a care home, you will usually qualify for payments towards the cost of personal and nursing care. Depending on your income and capital, you may need to pay towards other costs such as accommodation and living costs, sometimes known as “hotel costs”. If you are under 65 you can only have help with nursing care costs. The social work department will carry out a financial assessment to work out what you need to pay towards your care. It can be difficult to decide whether you need to move to a care home and what a care home must provide for it to be the right one for you. You can find guidance in our series of care home leaflets which look at choosing a home, health and wellbeing living in a care home, issues for friends and family, and funding. You can also ask the care home if they can offer you a trial period. Call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222 for free copies of our information.

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Health questions As you get older, you may need help from health services you didn’t need to know about before. You or someone you care about might need help because you are managing a long-term condition, have had a new diagnosis or have experienced family problems or bereavement. If you are worried: • Make an appointment to see your GP, worrying doesn’t help. • Don’t be conned by adverts or unqualified “experts” offering expensive miracle cures or equipment. • Don’t be embarrassed to ask for help; whatever the problem, the health service will have seen it before and there is likely to be a charity that can offer you support and expert help. • Ask someone to come with you to an appointment if you think it will help you.

Mental health If you are feeling anxious or depressed or have problems sleeping, speak to your GP. They will be able to discuss the help available to you, which may include medication or a service which can help you If you would prefer to talk anonymously about any issue or worry, email the Samaritans day or night on [email protected] or call them on 116 123. For information about mental health see Age Scotland’s publications about mental health and wellbeing: Keeping well and who can help, A guide for Carers and Worried about someone’s mental health.

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Dementia If you are worried about your memory, or are having problems with thinking, language or understanding, you should speak to your GP. Age Scotland has a range of publications about dementia and can give advice about planning for the future. Call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222.

Health Information To find out more about your health problems and your rights before contacting your GP (you might want to know what sort of questions you should be asking) you can get quality professional advice from: NHS24: Tel: 111 or online at www.NHS24.scot. NHS Inform: Tel: 0800 22 44 88 or online at www.nhsinform.scot/. If at any time you are not happy with your medical treatment and want to find out your rights, contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau. They can put you in contact with the Patients Advice and Support Service (PASS) which can tell you about your rights and help you to complain. See www.cas.org.uk/pass or call 0800 917 2127.

Elder Abuse Abuse can happen to anyone and is experienced differently by every victim. If you are experiencing, or know somebody else who is experiencing any form of abuse, please contact the Age Scotland Helpline for further information on what help and support is available.

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Loneliness Loneliness is a problem for many older people in Scotland. Loneliness can damage physical and mental health and seriously affect someone’s quality of life, but there are opportunities and support services which can help.

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Community Connecting

Contact us and let us know what interests you and our friendly volunteers will help find what’s available locally and will keep in touch with you for a few weeks with regular calls and encouragement.

We can also send you a guide to whats is available within your local council area. Age Scotland’s Community Development Officers support member groups around Scotland which provide a range of services supporting older people, from Men’s sheds to lunch clubs and befriending services. Many of these groups are aimed at tackling loneliness and isolation and most only exist because of the dedication and commitment of older volunteers. Call the Age Scotland helpline for a chat, for information and advice and to find out about opportunities in your local community. Call 0800 12 44 222.

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Travel National entitlement card To qualify for free Scotland-wide bus travel, you must be aged 60 or over (or be considered by the scheme to be a disabled person) and be resident in Scotland. If you are eligible, your local council can tell you the process for getting a National Entitlement Card in your area. You can get detailed information from Transport Scotland, which is responsible for administering the scheme, on 0141 272 7100 or at www.transport.gov.scot.

Community Transport Where available, Community Transport services can ensure that you enjoy as much social independence as possible, take part in new opportunities and access services. The availability of transport will depend on where you live in Scotland. There may also be a Dial-a-Bus or Dial-a-Ride available through your local council. This type of transport is useful if you have problems with mobility as the service involves being picked up from as near to your house as possible and being taken directly where you want to go. The British Red Cross also has a service in some areas which is dedicated to taking someone to and from a hospital appointment. Other discounts may apply to you for taxi fares if you have a disability.

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Travel

Blue Badge scheme If you qualify for a blue badge because you or a passenger have severe mobility problems, you are eligible for a range of on-street parking concessions so you can park nearer where you need to go. You can apply for a badge from your local council and find information about who qualifies here www.mygov.scot/apply-blue-badge/ If you do not have access to the internet, call the Age Scotland helpline and we will find the information for you.

RADAR key scheme The RADAR key scheme lets you have access to locked public toilets in shopping centres, pubs, shops and bus and train stations. RADAR keys are available to people who need the toilet facilities due to their disability or health condition. Information about where you can purchase a key is available from Disability Information Scotland. You can call them on 0300 323 9961 or see their website www.disabilityscot.org.uk.

Rail Travel You can purchase a senior railcard which can reduce the cost of rail fares if you are 60 or over. Call 0345 3000 250 for more information or see their website www.senior-railcard.co.uk.

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Employment issues for older people Most of the employment issues for older people are the same as those for people of any age, such as the written and implied terms of a contract and the legislation which underpins rights to breaks, the minimum wage, flexible working and paid holiday. Older workers are frequently faced with the pressures of balancing the demands of different generations within their families and managing long-term health conditions or disabilities, as well as working out when they may want to retire, whether they want to reduce working hours or whether self-employment would offer the flexibility they need. There is also the question of how affordable these choices will be. Your employer should not normally treat you differently because of your age or force you to retire at a specific age (although a few specific jobs do have a set retirement age). Some employers have excellent procedures and offer support, discounts and other help to their employees after they retire, other employers are less clear about their responsibilities. If you have a problem at work or a query about your rights and responsibilities and options, you can get more detailed information from your local Citizens Advice Bureau or see www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/.

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Employment issues

You can get individual advice from the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) or from your trade union or local Citizens Advice Bureau. Their advice is free and confidential and they will not contact your employer unless you want them to. If you need to seek employment advice, your adviser will need to know what paperwork you have from your employer, what evidence you have about your problem, whether you have told your employer about the problem and what you want to happen. Don’t delay in seeking help as there is normally a three month time limit for taking legal action. ACAS Tel: 0300 123 1100 or online at www.acas.org.uk.

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Legal and end of life issues Staying in control In Scotland, when somebody becomes incapable of managing their finances or making decisions about their welfare, the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 provides protection for them. The legislation gives people the opportunity to plan ahead and make sure that their wishes are known, even if in future they can no longer make decisions for themselves.

Power of Attorney A Power of Attorney is a legal document which gives someone else the authority to make specific decisions about your life if you need help or lose the ability to make decisions for yourself. The person who gives permission is known as the ‘Granter’ and whoever agrees to act on that persons behalf is the ‘Attorney’. There are two main types of Power of Attorney: Continuing Power of Attorney allows you to appoint someone to look after your property and financial affairs and could include the powers to manage bank accounts or sell a house. Welfare Power of Attorney enables the Attorney to make decisions about your health and welfare but only if you are unable to do this yourself. No-one can make decisions about your welfare whilst you can still do this yourself. For more information see our Guide to Power of Attorney in Scotland. 37

Legal and end of life issues

Wills and estates Your will lets everyone know your wishes for after your death. You can write your will yourself, but it is safer to use a solicitor as problems can arise after your death if there are mistakes or if the will is not entirely clear. If you decide to use a pre-printed form for your will, check that it applies to Scotland, as the rules in England and Scotland are very different. You can change your will at any time, for any reason and it is a good idea to review and update it if your family changes, particularly if you get divorced, get married, enter into a civil partnership, or have children. You can make minor changes to your existing will but you should get legal advice to ensure that the changes you wish to make are very clear. For more information see our leaflet Making your Will.

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Enjoy later life Keeping active Some people find that retirement offers more time for leisure activities. Whether you would like to start an activity to keep fit or use a class as a chance to make new friends, joining a fitness class or group can help you to stay active, independent and healthy, and can make you happier. As long as you can exercise safely, it is never too late to improve your health and strength, but we recommend that you consult your GP before starting. Keeping active and doing some exercise should be fun. Meeting up with a friend to do an activity that you enjoy together can help you both become more active. For more information on fitness activities in your local area, look in your local library or community centre, or contact your local leisure centre. They may have a list of activities and classes to give you ideas. You can also contact the Age Scotland helpline and we will look for local opportunities for you. Being active every day means that you are more likely to be able to carry on doing the things you enjoy. Getting out and about regularly can help you to keep in touch with family and friends, and stay independent.

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Healthy mind & body

If you are already quite active, you may still need to ensure your strength, balance and bone health is at its best. Tai Chi and any form of dancing are great activities to help your bones, muscles and balance. There are Scotland-wide organisations which could also help: Cycling is a great way to get out and about. Call Cycling Scotland on 0141 229 5350 or see their website www.cyclingscotland.org. Paths for all promotes walking for health and the development of path networks in Scotland. You can call them on 01259 218888 or see their website www.pathsforall.org.uk. For more information call the Age Scotland helpline and we will help you to find out what opportunities are available locally.

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Healthy mind & body

Lifelong learning For many people, retirement offers the perfect opportunity to study. You may always have wanted to take a course in a favourite subject, learn more about a new topic or have skills you can share with others. Learning can be very flexible, for example there may be classes available during the day, in the evening, part-time, weekend, online or distance learning opportunities. Popular adult education classes include photography, languages and cookery. For more information about courses in your local area, contact local libraries, your local council and or local colleges. The University of the Third Age (U3A) in Scotland can also provide information about its local groups. If you are thinking about higher education, many universities are very interested in enrolling mature students. Entry requirements vary and you may not have to have recent formal qualifications to be accepted. Many universities take into account life experience and work that you have done. As part of your learning, you may want to find out more about using computers and accessing the internet. Call the Age Scotland helpline and we can help you to find out what is available locally.

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Healthy mind & body

For further information about learning opportunities, contact: University of the Third Age (U3A) - U3A in Scotland is the umbrella group for all U3As within Scotland which works to promote learning and creative possibilities. It can provide information about local groups that may be in your area. Tel: 020 8466 6139 http://u3asites.org.uk/scotland/home

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Information and advice Age Scotland and Age UK produce leaflets which explain welfare benefits, community care issues and many other useful topics in more depth than this guide. Call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222 for leaflets and a list of our current Age Scotland and Age UK publications. Citizens Advice Bureaux - Citizens Advice Bureaux are members of Citizens Advice Scotland and provide local information and advice services throughout Scotland. Tel: 0808 800 90 60 for detail of your local office. For online information see www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/ Shelter Scotland - provides independent advice and advocacy on housing issues in Scotland. Tel: 0800 800 4444 scotland.shelter.org.uk/

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Information & advice

The Money Advice Service - offers clear, unbiased advice and information by phone and online. This is a free and independent service that provides information on pensions, investments, saving, borrowing, budgeting, tax, benefits and more. Call 0800 138 7777 or see their website www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk Care Information Scotland - provides a telephone and online service providing information about care services for older people living in Scotland. Tel: 0800 011 3200 www.careinfoscotland.scot Disability Information Scotland - provide disability information by phone and through their website Tel: 0300 323 9961 www.disabilityscot.org.uk

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0333 323 2400 [email protected] www.agescotland.org.uk Age Scotland helpline 0800 12 44 222 Age Scotland Enterprises 0800 456 1137 (Edinburgh) 0800 500 3159 (Glasgow) www.facebook.com/agescotland www.twitter.com/agescotland www.youtube.com/agescotland

Age Scotland, part of the Age Network, is an independent charity dedicated to improving the later lives of everyone on the ageing journey, within a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in Scotland. Registration Number 153343. Charity Number SC010100.