Give elderly a lift

Time to plan for the future

ON THE basis that it is preferable for the elderly to live in their own homes for as long as possible, not least because of the familiarity of surroundings, the University of York’s research into falls, and how they can be negated, is overdue.

It is estimated that it costs the NHS £2.3bn a year treating senior citizens who come to grief in their own property – a sum that could be cut if care assessment strategies are effective. It also assumes there’s money available for walking frames, handrails, stairlifts, walk-in showers and so on.

Yet the worry is that this piece of research will be undertaken solely from a social care perspective when its findings will also be fundamental to the future-proofing of Britain’s planning system to take account of an ageing population.

Though it will, in many cases, be impractical to modify older properties, there’s no reason why newly-built properties should not be built with the future needs of the elderly in mind so, in time, the stairway can accommodate a lift – or there’s room for handrails in the bathroom. It’s basic common sense.

As The Yorkshire Post has stated previously, planning consent for future developments should ensure that new buildings not only have the latest flood prevention measures but adequate facilities for cyclists. It’s called planning for the future.