Councils unprepared for ageing population

Monday, 22 February 2010

There is to be a significant explosion in the numbers of older people according to findings from a recent audit from the Audit Commission.

The commission found that local councils have not made plans for reforms to accommodate this growth, which could adversely affect future provision of essential housing and care services for the next generation of older people.

Back in 1982 some 30 per cent of people were over the age of 50. Now, the numbers of over 50s are expected to increase to 40 per cent by 2026, 6 per cent up from the present level.

The Commission examined the medium-term financial plans of 112 councils to track their progress in preparing for such a significant demographic change. Its report said: "...many councils place little emphasis on the challenges of an ageing population."

Indeed, only one in ten financial plans made an effort to estimate the financial impact of the new wave of older people in the population.

The report concluded: "More prevention and early intervention activity is essential if councils and their partners are to tackle the financial implications of an ageing population for local public services." and added that councils must "learn to get more for less from older people's care services."

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