Funding of £60m to support older people announced

Funding of £60 million for councils to help older people
live independently longer was announced by the government today,
writes Clare Jerrom.

Stephen Ladyman

The Partnerships for Older People Projects grant aims to
encourage councils together with the NHS, local government,
voluntary and community sector partners to work together to devise
innovative ways to support older people in healthy living.

Health minister Stephen Ladyman said: “Nearly 50 per cent
of all hospital admissions are of older people and many of these
are avoidable.”

“Working proactively to give care in a community setting
enables older people to maintain their independence and quality of
life, and reduces the need for hospital or high intensity
care,” he added.

Successful projects may contain ideas to be outlined in the
adult social care green paper.