THE process of adapting homes for the elderly in Scotland is “unfit for our aging population,” according to the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA).

The call came as the University of Stirling’s Intersectional Stigma of Place-Based Ageing project published new research predicting the cost of adaptations such as grab rails and stairlifts could rocket to £76 million a year by 2040.

Professor Vikki McCall, who led the research, warned that “changes are needed, and urgently,” adding: “All our research points to the need for future-proofing of Scotland’s housing stock, early intervention, and age-friendly, inclusive designs.”

Arguing for the system to be better funded and simplified, SFHA’s Sally Thomas said: “The current adaptations system is unfit for our ageing population and places too much emphasis on whether someone rents or owns their home, where they live, and what funding they can access instead of people’s needs.”

Pointing to adaptations spend doubling to £20.9m this year, a Scottish government spokesperson responded: “We are ensuring that older and disabled people in Scotland have choice, dignity and freedom to access suitable homes to enable them to participate as full and equal citizens.”