Proposals to support older people in Staffordshire

Older people in Staffordshire will be supported and encouraged to live healthy and independent lives in a new 5 year strategy

The new Older People Strategy 2024-29 sets out how the county council will support the growing aging population in Staffordshire.

There are currently around 194,100 people in the county aged 65+, and 23,500 aged 85+. In ten years, this is expected to grow to 231,000 aged 65+, and 35,400 aged 85+.

The strategy, which will be considered by the county council’s cabinet next week, sets out how the authority will support this growing number of older people over the next five years.

It contains four priorities, designed to help people who don’t require social care to live independently at home; to ensure good quality services are available for those who do need care; to support those needing care to live independently for as long as possible; and to ensure that if someone can no longer stay at home, the right support is available.

It has been produced with the help of the public, health professionals, local organisations and older people and their carers.

County Council Cabinet Member for Health and Care Julia Jessel said: “We want to ensure that older people in our county can live healthy and well, and maintain their independence for as long as they can.

“Our new Older People Adult Social Care Commissioning Strategy, which we have produced with local organisations, older people and their carers, aims to help everyone live independently at home for as long as possible.

“It will also ensure that as and when they require support, they can access the best support available to meet their needs.”

Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet will consider the strategy on December 13.