A consultation is underway to encourage local people to give their views on the way older people’s services across Stirling and Clackmannanshire will be designed and delivered in the future.

Both Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils, in partnership with NHS Forth Valley, voluntary organisations and the independent sector, have developed a new Plan which highlights the changes and improvements required to meet the needs of older people, their families and carers over the next ten years.

The aim of the Plan is to enable older people to live full and positive lives within their own homes for as long as possible and, where this is no longer possible, within a homely setting within supportive communities.

During the consultation, which runs from 18th March until 15th June 2013, anyone with an interest in services for local people will be able to provide feedback on the plans. They can do this by post, email or phone.

A number of local information sessions have also been arranged in Stirling and Alloa to seek the views of the public, older people, carers and service providers on how services can be redesigned and improved to meet the needs of older people. These will take place on the following dates and times:

•    Stirling Community Hospital – 29th April 2013 at 10am, 12noon, 2pm, 4pm

•    Stirling Community Hospital – Wed 19th June 2013 at 7pm

•    Alloa Town Hall – 17th April 2013 at 10am and 12pm

•    Whins Centre, Alloa – Tuesday 11th June 2013 at 7pm

Kathy O’Neill, General Manager for Community Health Services, NHS Forth Valley, said:

 We want to improve services for older people and help them lead healthier, fuller and more independent lives.

This new plan sets out how services would be reshaped to ensure we are able to meet the future needs of older people. This is particularly important as the number of people aged over 75 in Forth Valley is set to almost double in the next 20 years.

It’s important to listen to what older people want to help us provide the right services, at the right time in the right place and I’d therefore encourage anyone with an interest in older people services to take part in this important consultation.”

Councillor Christine Simpson, Convener of Stirling Council’s Social Care and Health Committee, said:

 Improving care for our vulnerable citizens is one of Stirling Council’s key priorities, and we are keen to involve older people and carers in this process and offer every opportunity for their voices and views to be heard.  This insight will be invaluable in shaping the best possible services now and into the future.”

Councillor Les Sharp, Housing, Health and Care Convenor at Clackmannanshire Council, said:

 We are committed to ensuring that services for older people are person-centred, safe, effective and delivered in a way that is respectful and preserves dignity. As the number of older people in the population continues to rise, our focus is on the development of innovative approaches which recognise the positive contribution that older people make to our communities. I’d encourage everyone with an interest in older people to participate in this consultation exercise.

The Plan has been developed in response to the Scottish Government’s ‘Re-Shaping Care for Older People’ initiative, which aims to support the health, housing and social care of the rapidly growing numbers of people aged 65 years and over in Scotland.