ALMOST one in five Scots does not know who will look after them if they need to be cared for in their latter years, according to new research.
Around seven out of 10 (69 per cent) expect to have care needs in older age, but only just over half (55 per cent) think their family will care for them, the survey found.
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The research also revealed that under a quarter (22 per cent) of the Scottish population feel older people are valued by society, illustrating the need to change perceptions of ageing and ensure older people are appreciated and treated as individuals.
Age Scotland, a leading charity for older people, said planning for future care is critical.
A spokesman said: “This research highlights the importance in for planning for later life and having the conversations and plans in place to ensure you have the peace of mind about how you will be cared for should it be required.
“Age Scotland has long campaigned to raise awareness of the need to understand what care you might want and also take advantage of legal options, like power of attorney, to protect your wishes should you no longer have the capacity to do so.”
The survey of more than 2,000 people across the UK was commissioned by private healthcare firm Bupa.
Just under a quarter (23 per cent) of respondents think about what life will be like in old age a few times a week, with 17 per cent thinking about it every day.
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Professor Graham Stokes, global director of dementia care at Bupa, also said that both the way growing older is perceived and the way care is provided should be considered more by society.
He said: “The perception that older people aren’t valued by society is concerning and needs to be addressed.
“The proportion of people over 80 is expected to increase almost fourfold over the next 50 years, the role they play as well as their needs and desires should be recognised.
“It’s clear from the research that people have some realistic concerns about their needs and potential health challenges in old age, but old age can be a happy and fulfilling time when people are valued and treated with respect.”
Despite concerns about getting older, people are optimistic that they can still live a fulfilling life, with the majority of people believing old age will not stop them living life to the fullest.
Mr Stokes added: “As we age our preferences and personalities remain individual, which is why, if care is required, it should be provided in a way that meets the person’s needs and wishes.
“This could be through enabling someone living in a care home to walk on the beach if they’ve lived near the sea all their life, or helping people to plant a garden if they have a passion for gardening.”
Bupa said all figures were from YouGov and the total sample size was 2,139 adults, of whom 227 were in Scotland.
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It comes as the number of Scots aged 75 or over is predicted to increase by 85 per cent over the next two decades.
The National Records of Scotland expects there to be 800,000 Scots aged 75 or over by 2039.
At the same time, there will only be a one per cent increase in the number of children by the same year.
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