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New £2m scheme to support older people in Cumbria

The programme aims to provide 2,000 Extra Care Units Credit: PA

A new £2 million Extra Care Housing Grant Award scheme has been set up by Cumbria County Council to improve the lives of older people in Cumbria. The programme aims to provide 2,000 Extra Care Units across Cumbria by 2025:

Cumbrians are proudly independent and want to live in their own homes for a long as possible. Extra Care Housing helps them to achieve this. We all hope to live to a ripe old age and our older years should be a time to enjoy a positive and fulfilling life and having your own home is key to achieving this.”

– Cllr Peter Thornton, Cabinet Member for Health and Care Services

Dumfries charity awarded over £1m to tackle malnutrition

Figures show 1 in 10 older people in Scotland are malnourished Credit: ITV Border

A Dumfries-based charity has been awarded more than £1million to tackle malnutrition among Scotland's older population.

New figures suggest that 1 in 10 older people in the country is malnourished. The Lottery funding is going to The Food Train which delivers fresh groceries to older people each week throughout Scotland:

Through the Eat Well, Age Well project, we will work towards a sustainable approach to reduce malnutrition among older people living at home and create a long lasting and engaged network across the country committed to this issue. We are absolutely delighted with this Big Lottery Fund award, which will allow us to carry on the legacy of our founders in partnership with others.”

– Michelle Carruthers MBE, Food Train Chief Executive Michelle

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Proposal to widen choices of staying independent

There could be a wider choice of accommodation for those who require care but want to continue to live independently.

Cumbria County Council is proposing the investment of up to £6million in Extra Care Housing, which is similar to sheltered housing.

It is believed this will save £500,000 on more costly care options, such as funding places in residential homes.

“Extra care housing means that more people will be able to live in their own home as their needs change, knowing they have the security of access to on-site care and support.

"For several years, we’ve been responding to the growing demand and different social care needs of older people who want to live independently by investing in extra care housing.”

– Cllr Beth Furneaux, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet member for Adult Social Care

Each scheme is built in partnership with a housing association.

The council currently supports 12 schemes around the county with four more expected to be completed during 2015/2016.