Budget boost for older people

Cabinet, when it met on Thursday, March 24, agreed to allocate an additional £500,000 to the Council’s budget for Older People’s Services.

With Herefordshire’s increasing elderly population, Cabinet recognises the need for further investment in Older People’s Services.

The bulk of the additional money will go towards supporting older people to continue to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible.

“Just over half of the Council’s Social Care budget is already spent on our older people,” said Cllr Phillips, Leader of Herefordshire Council.

“However, with the County’s ever increasing population of older people we recognise the need to inject some additional money - as indeed was the case last year.

“Enabling older people to live in their own homes is one of the Council’s top priorities.

“People are obviously much happier if they can remain in their own homes, maintain their independence and dignity and simply remain in familiar surroundings.

“Much of this additional money will be spent on services such as intensive home care and staff training, both of which are aimed at supporting older people to live in their own homes.

“The additional money has been secured for the financial year 2005/6 whilst keeping the Council Tax increase to a minimum,” he added.