This document is Huntingdonshire’s first combined Housing, Health and Social Care Strategy for Older People. The document has been written in partnership between Huntingdonshire District Council, Huntingdonshire PCT, as well as voluntary and independent sector services. The views of older people have shaped this document and partners and stakeholders have contributed to its development. The Strategy is an evolving document and the actions will be taken forward in partnership with others.

Huntingdonshire has the largest overall population in Cambridgeshire and the largest population of people aged 65+. The 65+ age group is due to increase by 50% between now and 2016 – from 20,680 in 2002 to 30,610 in 20161. This growth is faster than the county average (28.5%) and the national average (23.9%). Service providers need to plan now for this demographic change.

People are living for longer and are getting frailer. Women outnumber men from 65 onwards. Half of all pensioners live alone and whilst services need to be flexible, it should be recognised that the majority of service users will be women living alone. This is particularly true in the 85+ age group when women outnumber men by 2:1 and in the 90+ age group when women outnumber men by 3:1.

The ratio of people aged 65+ to those aged 0-64 is due to increase bringing challenges for future workforce planning given that there will be less people of employment age available to care for and support the ageing population, a sector that already struggles to recruit and retain staff.

The majority of pensioners are owner-occupiers (72.9%). Given that the built environment is a long-term resource, the planning system has a vital role to play in ensuring that new homes are suitable for people, as they get older and frailer. A significant percentage of older people (28.1%) currently rent their home from housing associations or private landlords. There will be a growing need for decent affordable homes that are suitable for older people in addition to other public housing related services like the provision of Disabled Facilities Grants.

This Strategy includes the outcome of consultation with older people on what they want in later life. To be independent with adequate income, to have choice in where they live and how services are delivered, to be able to get out and about and engage in social activities if they wish, to be valued and respected as citizens with things to offer society, to stay in their own home in safety for as long as possible and to be able to access information are all important to older people.