UK Government meets target on older people living independently

Main Category: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 03 Mar 2005 - 9:00 PDT

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More older people now live independently in their own homes than ever before.

Improving the quality of life of more older people by helping them to live at home was a target set by the government in 2002 in support of its National Service Framework for Older People. It committed to helping more people stay in control of their own lives by ensuring 30% of people receiving care from social services did so at home.*

That target has now been met, two years ahead of schedule.

Since 1998, the number of households receiving intensive home care in England has risen by 43%, with 662,000 older people (aged 65 and over) being helped to live at home in March 2004.

Speaking at the Guardian's 'Managing New Realities Conference', Community Minister Stephen Ladyman said: "We know that people want to live independent lives and receive care in their own homes. They don't want to be forced into care homes. Reaching this target early shows that we are headed in the right direction and our vision to change services to support independence is achievable.

"We will continue to work with local councils to ensure that growing numbers of older people benefit from services that help them to stay at home which is exactly what older people tell us they want."

Professor Ian Philp, National Clinical Director for Older People said: "This is further evidence of the commitment of local authorities to improving the lives of older people. This is in line with the emphasis in the National Service Framework for Older People on developing services in the community which not only improve the lives of older people but reduce pressure on acute hospital and residential services."

Notes to editor

*1. In 1998, 206 080 people were supported in residential and nursing care homes and 60,700 households received intensive home care (22.8%).

2. In 2004 202,180 people are supported in residential and nursing care homes and 87,100 households receive home care (30.1%).

3. For media enquiries ONLY please contact Orla Delargy in the Department of Health media centre on 020 7210 5315.

Dept of Health, UK, Press Release.

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