A COUNCIL official slams predictions made about the number of new care homes needed to support elderly people.

Research from Newcastle University has indicated that up to 200,000 new care home beds will be needed by 2020 to support the ageing population.

Director of Adult Care Serves at Hertfordshire County Council Ian MacBeath argues that focus should be placed on providing care at homes for residents.

He believes that now is the time to assess our plans for caring for the elderly, ensuring that we enable people to retain their independence for as long as possible.

Mr MacBeath said: “It’s a complex situation that requires sensible solutions; Government, Local Authorities and our health partners in the NHS need to continue to work together and consider what combination of care solutions we need in place to tackle the future needs of our ageing population.

“Residential care is and will continue to be an essential part of social care; however it’s not necessarily the answer to all of the issues we face in the sector or what the customer wants and needs.

“There are various routes available to keep people independent for as long as we can; it’s important, not only for resources but for people’s health and wellbeing that we offer alternatives to residential care settings.”

The council executive argued that moving someone from a terraced property to a ground-floor flat for supportive living may not be the most affective way of providing care for that person.

Mr MacBeath highlighted the benefits of a telecare monitoring system. Theses alarms enable residents of their own homes to go through to a control unit, and they can communicate with call handlers.

These are affective at providing care if someone has fallen and cannot get up or if the person is distressed a family member will be called to they can provide care for their loved ones.