The 'Quick guide to services for older people' sees a wide range of information on health and social care services, travel, benefits, leisure opportunities, home repairs, home safety and more pulled together in one easy to use manual for the first time. Publication of the guide follows a series of consultation events where it was found that a large number of older people were not using services because they did not know what was available to them.

The consultation also discovered that even if there was awareness of what was on offer from publics bodies, many older people still did not know how to access the services they required. This prompted a pilot project that put a test guide before five hundred older people from different backgrounds across the city.

With information on available services, contact numbers and what basic personal details must be to hand if someone is to access a service, the guide was an immediate hit with those who take part in the pilot.

Bailie Ellen Hurcombe, Glasgow's Spokesperson on Senior Issues, believes the launch of the guide will make it far easier for older people to seek help when it is needed.

She said: "This handbook should end a lot of the confusion that exists around the services that can make a big difference to our older people.  There is an incredible amount of support, assistance and opportunity out there for senior citizens to take advantage of when it is required. But it is clear that tracking down those services and then getting in touch with them was harder than we ever imagined.

"It became very clear us that the QuickGuide was essential if older people are to make the most of their lives in Glasgow. Our seniors face enough social exclusion as it is without having to navigate a maze of information when they require some support. The QuickGuide will hopefully become an invaluable reference point for them that tells what they need to know in clear and concise terms."

With a print run of some 20,000 copies, the guide will be distributed throughout Glasgow's day centres, libraries, local older people organizations and community groups who service the needs of older people. The guide will also be available in six different community languages, large print and braille as well as on audiotape

The guide was produced by Glasgow City Council in collaboration with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Culture and Sport Glasgow. Key contributions also came from Glasgow Older People Welfare and West of Scotland Seniors Forum.

Download the Quick guide to services for older people (PDF file, opens in a new browser window).