South Gloucestershire | Archive | 2006 | March | 17
From the archive, first published Friday 17th Mar 2006.
THE ELDERLY in South Gloucestershire are set to receive extra care and accommodation thanks to a move by council chiefs.
The announcement comes after the council's ruling cabinet agreed to a new joint strategy put forward jointly with South Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust (PCT).
The strategy looks at the current and future needs of older people in the district and aims to ensure there is a range of accommodation and care options available.
Cllr Maggie Tyrrell, executive member for community care, health and housing, said: "As these plans are implemented over the next few years, they will have an extremely positive effect on people in the area.
"The number of older people in the district is increasing and it is important the council does all it can to ensure facilities for these people are fit for the 21st century."
Part of these plans will involve the development of 16 extra care housing schemes by 2016.
Extra care housing is homes for older people with 24-hour care available if needed and offer an alternative to moving into traditional residential homes.
The plans are expected to be provided by the private, voluntary and independent sectors and will be a mixture of full and shared ownership and rented properties.
South Gloucestershire has an increasingly ageing population and both the council and PCT are keen to ensure older people are given the choice of remaining completely independent and in the accommodation of their choice for as long as they wish.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008