Whatever the problems faced by older people in Scotland, a sense of powerlessness can only make them worse.
But professionals can sometimes be part of the problem. Today the university will launch Europe’s first Joanna Briggs Institute Aged Care Collaborating Centre, which will draw on best practice from around the world to improve the care of older people. The institute has more than 54 centres and groups working in 90 countries, but the Scottish centre will be the first in Europe to specialise in older people’s issues. Hearing is an example of the area in which it might have an impact, according to centre director and professor of gerontological nursing, Dr Debbie Tolson. The result can be frustration on both sides, Dr Tolson explains. “If we are not asking the right questions, we won’t be investing in the solutions which are wanted by older people.” NHS Quality Improvement Scotland is paying for all its NHS staff to join the collaborating centre. Meanwhile the centre will work directly with older people and indirectly through organisations such as Alzheimer’s Scotland, to ensure their perspectives are central to its work.
Professor Alan Pearson, executive director of the Joanna Briggs Institute, and Penny Bond, of NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, will be among the speakers at today’s launch event.