Councils will struggle to cope with the financial challenge posed by England’s ageing population and could miss opportunities to innovate and save, according to a report from the Audit Commission called ‘Under Pressure’.

The report said that most councils don’t know enough about the costs of their ageing population and they could do more to embrace preventive services and work more closely with other organisations. 

If councils don’t plan carefully as the number of older people increases each year, costs will increase, the report said. But councils need the right information to help make the right decisions and they should involve the people themselves in developing services. 

Commission chairman Michael O’Higgins said: “Today’s older people grew up with supermarkets and self-service, and tomorrow’s will use iPhones and the internet. Older people don’t want to become dependant, but councils need to help them help themselves. Most older people live at home, not in care homes. And the longer they do, the happier they are and the less they cost the taxpayer. Innovative, personalised services mean older people stay independent longer, saving public money.”

He went on: “There are huge financial pressures on councils in the years ahead, but redesigning services and exploiting technology can make them better, more efficient and more personal.”

One thing is for sure and that is that people are living longer and those that are aged ‘but well’ are better off in the own home until they can no longer stay there; they will then need top class residential care. On the other hand those that are aged ‘but unwell’ or ‘have some sort of dementia’ with need the care or nursing home earlier in their life.