What EARS is
The Edinburgh Advocacy Representation Service - now trading as EARS Advocacy
Service for Older People - is funded by health and social work to provide
free, independent advocacy (on a one to one basis) to older people in,
or moving into long term care. We provide advocacy to older people in
residential care homes or in hospital delayed discharge situations througout
Edinburgh and the Lothians. Although the service is funded through the
statutory sector, we are completely indepedent. The Scottish Executive
is very keen to see advocacy made available and every local authority
health board in Scotland has been requested to develop, fund and implement
an advocacy action plan and local advocacy services.
EARS came into being in 1999 when a group of interested individuals and professionals found that there was a lack of representation for older people, but particularly those in long-term residential and nursing home care. This group of older people are among the most vulnerable groups in our society and are not always strong enough to speak out, or voice their concerns, fears, wishes and needs - especially to those they depend upon for their care. The service is recognition that older people in long term care should have the same rights and opportunities as anyone else.
Advocacy offers older people the opportunity to feel part of, rather than excluded from, both society and the decisions being made for them by others.