Number aged over 85 in Coventry to grow by a quarter

THE number of people aged 85 and over in Coventry is expected to grow by almost a quarter - 22 per cent - in the next 10 years.

The age of the population will start to increase as a result, the council’s Adult Social Care Annual Report 2017/18 said, adding ‘pressures’ to funding.

But it found on average Coventry residents are ‘living a significant period at the end of their life in poor health.’ The levels of deprivation in the city, although improving, will remain relatively high and those living with lower levels of wealth are more likely to develop poor health.

The report predicted a 21 per cent increase in residents aged 75 and older living alone between 2017 and 2025, with those who are socially isolated between two and five times more likely to die prematurely than those with stronger social ties.

Speaking at a Health and Social Care Scrutiny Board earlier this montgh, Joan Beck, independent chair of Coventry Safeguarding Adults Board, said: “Coventry has the same challenges as every other council in the country.

“People are getting older which is something we should be celebrating rather than say it is causing us problems.

“It is wonderful but it does mean that there is a pressure on us and a pressure on the budget.”

A total of £81.8 million was spent on Adult Social Care in 2017/18 compared to £78.1 m in 2016/17 - a four per cent increase - leaving an underspend of £1.2m.