Age Scotland has long held the view that older people need an independent commissioner to stand up for their rights and tackle the injustices they face.

A Commissioner would be appointed by the Scottish Parliament to act independently from the Scottish Government to protect the rights of older people. They would have scope to focus on a range of issues that are important to older people - for example highlighting ageism and age discrimination, ensuring access to services including health and social care, tackling poverty, and challenging digital exclusion.

Public support for an older people's commissioner in Scotland is very high with 7 in 10 younger people supporting it, and 80% of those over 50 want to see the role created.

Being able to live independently, safely and well in your own home for as long as possible is the consistent aspiration of the vast majority of older people in Scotland. This has been highlighted loud and clear through a wide range of Age Scotland research as people want to keep that connection to their community, family and friends.

Dr Vikki McCall from the University of Stirling, and Age Scotland's David Petrie talk about their new research, "Making Adaptations Work for Older People in Scotland", which highlights the experiences older and disabled people have with accessing home adaptation support and 15 ways to reform it.

Read the report and findings at www.age.scot/makingadaptationswork

It's Burns Night. Often with a dram in hand, and a plate piled high with haggis, neeps and tatties, the works of the famous Scottish bard Robert Burns have been celebrated and commemorated for the last 222 years.

But have you ever heard Burns in Bengali or Hindi? 

In this episode, we have a special performance from Savita Purran and Herman Rodrigues of "Ye Banks an' Braes o' Bonnie Doon", written by Burns in 1791, sung in English, Bengali and Hindi. 

Anne Gallacher, director of Luminate, talks with Savita, Herman and Rohini Sharma Joshi about the influence of Burns across the world and some particular links with India.

#BurnsNight

It can be awkward and difficult to talk about money, particularly if you are struggling. Age Scotland's Big Survey found that a fifth of over 50s in Scotland feels financially squeezed, with energy and council tax bills the chief cause. It is important that older people receive everything that they are entitled to, particularly as they have paid and contributed to the system throughout their lives. 

But knowing where to turn can be challenging. 

In this episode, Adam Stachura talks with Age Scotland's Information and Project Development Manager Heather Smith about the charity's "Check in, Cash out" campaign which raises awareness of the social security and financial support available to older people; the free workshops available to better understand benefits; and how to normalise conversations about money.

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Find out more about the support discussed in this podcast:

Age Scotland's free helpline: 0800 12 44 222 www.age.scot/helpline

Check in, Cash out: www.age.scot/checkincashout

Age Scotland's benefit awareness workshops: www.ageuk.org.uk/scotland/information-advice/benefits/free-online-benefits-workshop

Age Scotland's information and advice guides: www.ageuk.org.uk/scotland/information-advice

Step Change, free, expert debt advice - www.stepchange.org

Money and Pensions Service (MaPS): Money Helper www.moneyhelper.org.uk

Citizens Advice Scotland: www.cas.org.uk

Caring for a family member or friend can be rewarding and fulfilling. It can also be stressful and exhausting.

This Carers Week, Age Scotland's Dementia Training Officer Rachel Davison speaks with Michael, who cares for his wife, about their life together, the impact of caring and his wife's illness, and how their lives have changed.

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Age Scotland's Dementia Training team has launched new a new self-study platform for carers of people living with dementia. We know that attending sessions at set times can prove difficult for people due to their unpredictable caring commitments.

This new self-study platform will allow carers to learn about their rights when it is convenient to them and without time constraints.

Registrations for the first self-study modules open and access to course contents will be available from Wednesday 16 June.

To register, please follow the links below or email [email protected]

The Carers’ Act (including Adult Carer Support Plans)

Carers’ rights and hospital admissions and discharge

Carers’ rights and Self-Directed Support

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Find out about Carer’s Allowance, which is the main benefit specifically for carers at www.age.scot/carersaallowance

Caring for a family member or friend can be rewarding and fulfilling. It can also be stressful and exhausting. 

This Carers Week, Age Scotland's Dementia Training Officer Rachel Davison speaks with Michael, who cares for his wife, about their life together, the impact of caring and his wife's illness, and how their lives have changed. 

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Age Scotland's Dementia Training team has launched new a new self-study platform for carers of people living with dementia. We know that attending sessions at set times can prove difficult for people due to their unpredictable caring commitments.

This new self-study platform will allow carers to learn about their rights when it is convenient to them and without time constraints.

Registrations for the first self-study modules open and access to course contents will be available from Wednesday 16 June.

To register, please follow the links below or email [email protected]

The Carers’ Act (including Adult Carer Support Plans) 

Carers’ rights and hospital admissions and discharge 

Carers’ rights and Self-Directed Support

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Find out about Carer’s Allowance, which is the main benefit specifically for carers at www.age.scot/carersaallowance

Do you know about your rights as a carer? 

This Carers Week, Age Scotland's Dementia Training Officer Rachel Davison speaks with Nikki, who cares for her mum, about accessing her rights, what can be done to improve the experience of being a carer, and advice to others.

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Age Scotland's Dementia Training team has launched new a new self-study platform for carers of people living with dementia. We know that attending sessions at set times can prove difficult for people due to their unpredictable caring commitments.

This new self-study platform will allow carers to learn about their rights when it is convenient to them and without time constraints.

Registrations for the first self-study modules open and access to course contents will be available from Wednesday 16 June. 

To register, please follow the links below or email [email protected]

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Find out about Carer’s Allowance, which is the main benefit specifically for carers at www.age.scot/carersaallowance

Anyone of any age can fall victim to a scam, but we know that older people are disproportionately targeted. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of people targeted by scammers, including older people and those with long-term health conditions.

In this episode of Age Scotland's Conversations, we hear from Peter and Marion Morrison who were called by someone pretending to be from their bank. Thankfully, the elaborate scam which involved masking the phone number to match the one on the back of their bank card was foiled.

We also talk to Paul Davis from the Bank of Scotland about his advice on spotting a scam, what to do, and how banks are helping. 

And talking about how banks are helping, what kind of innovative technology is being developed and used by FinTech companies to beat the fraudsters? Nicola Anderson from FinTech Scotland explains all and offers up some great advice about the "Take Five" campaign.

Age Scotland has a free guide and plenty of information and advice about avoiding scams. Find out more at www.age.scot/avoidingscams or call our helpline on 0800 12 44 222

Pride month looks and feels very different in 2020 than in previous years. Lockdown across the UK, as a result of the coronavirus, has meant that public gatherings are a no-go and many events have moved online.

In this episode, we look back to the 1970s and speak with Gregan Crawford, who worked to set up and run the first licensed gay discos in Edinburgh at that time, campaigned for change and law reform with the Scottish Minorities Group, and reflects on life as an older gay man living in Scotland.

www.agescotland.org.uk

The theme of Mental Health Awareness Week this year is 'Kindness'. So what role does this play in improving mental health?

We speak to Elaine McLernon, a former mental health nurse and Age Scotland's Dementia Training Officer about this, the impact of lockdown on older people's mental health and where people can go for support.

Read Elaine's blog about how to protect older people's mental health in challenging times  ▶ bit.ly/2zhchfk

Find out more at www.agescotland.org.uk