Ryedale faces a crisis in care for the elderly (From Gazette & Herald)

Ryedale faces a crisis in care for the elderly

RYEDALE faces a crisis in care for elderly people.

There are waiting lists for residential homes, private nursing homes have closed and there is no money for more sheltered accommodation.

A recent housing needs survey carried out for Ryedale District Council showed that a 43pc increase would take place in the over-80 population between 1996 and 2021. This compares with a drop in the number of people under 44.

There are already waiting lists for most types of accommodation for elderly people. Where it is possible to get a place, there is very little choice.

Three hundred and twenty beds were lost in North Yorkshire last year. Yet there is no money to increase their number or replace them.

At the moment, there are 544 places in residential and nursing homes in Ryedale. Three of the establishments are residential homes run by North Yorkshire County Council.

In addition, there are 1,005 places in sheltered accommodation provided by Ryedale Housing Association. The total provision of 1,549 places for elderly people in need of care and or support, compares with the 10,600 people estimated to be aged 65 and over in 2000. In 20 years, it is expected that number will increase by another 2,800 to 13,400.

North Yorkshire County Council, which has been criticised for its lack of investment in elderly care provision, tried to stem the closure of private homes last year by increasing what it pays to them by 5pc.

"If the private sector collapses overnight, North Yorkshire County Council has an obligation of care for the people involved," said County Councillor Murray Naylor, who has a remit for social services.

He explained that in future years, care provided by local authorities would change. The move was away from residential homes and towards keeping people in their own homes.

Elderly people's residential homes will simply not exist as we know them today. Coun Naylor warns that people as young as 30 should be planning their homes with old age in mind.

He said: "We have all got to start thinking." He added: "We need a public debate to find what people want. There is no good turning round and criticising the authorities if you have not said what you want."

North Yorkshire County Council has a strategy - Our Future Lives - which moves expenditure on elderly care away from expensive-to-run homes and into central resources. New centres would provide specialist support for people living in their homes and their carers.

In addition, there would be what is described as extra-care sheltered accommodation providing a greater degree of support for residents.

It is the district council and housing association which are responsible in Ryedale for providing sheltered accommodation. Money to build comes from the Government via the Housing Corporation.

Joe Bvumburai, from Yorkshire House, headquarters of Ryedale Housing Association, said: "Unfortunately, more units can only be built with funding. There is very little leeway for development. It is a very worrying situation."

Gary Hobbs, from Ryedale Carers Support, in Malton, says there are increased demands.

He said: "We're currently in a situation where, for the best of motives, national Government is insisting on higher standards and qualifications from those who provide personal care.

"This puts extra pressure on service providers already heavily pressed."

In addition, he said, the number of elderly people living on their own and with few social contacts were increasing quite rapidly.

Updated: 09:37 Thursday, June 20, 2002