A new report, 'What's Next For Adaptations,' has warned that thousands of people in Scotland are living in homes unsuitable for their needs due to a complex, underfunded, and inconsistent system for accessing adaptations.

The research, carried out by the University of Stirling's Intersectional Stigma of Place-Based Ageing (ISPA) project, has been backed by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), the Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland (CIH Scotland), and the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers (ALACHO).

The report found that older and disabled people who cannot access vital adaptations, such as stairlifts and grabrails, are more prone to falls and injuries, placing significant strain on the NHS. The research also revealed that access to adaptations is inconsistent and depends on a person's location and housing tenure.

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Noting that Scotland's healthy life expectancy is declining while the population of those aged over 60 is set to exceed 1.7 million by 2035, researchers have urged the Scottish Government to increase the budget for adaptations and create a tailored approach.

Professor Vikki McCall, who led the ISPA research, said that while the population is living longer, "that doesn't mean we are living well." She added that with costs estimated to reach more than £76 million a year on adaptations by 2040, changes are needed urgently to future-proof Scotland's housing stock.

SFHA Chief Executive 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.”

Ashley Campbell, policy and practice manager at CIH Scotland, added: "The message is clear – we know that investing in adaptations saves money for health and social care partners and improves people's lives. But this isn't just about the funding, the system can be complex, time consuming and inconsistent."