Published: October 2024, Last Updated: November 2024
Introduction
The older adult population in Wakefield is growing. People are living longer. In 2011, Wakefield had 6,662 residents who were aged 85 or above. This figure is projected to more than double to 14,500 by 2040. As we age, we are more likely to be living with health conditions and have care needs.
Health needs of older people
A growing ageing population means that demand for health and social care is rising. Older people are now often presenting with more significant need or multiple long-term conditions. Those in higher age brackets (aged 85 and over) are most likely to require extra support due to frailty, long-term conditions and social isolation. 
The care of older people may involve admissions to hospital, home care services, or a move into residential care (possibly with nursing care). For older people who need hospital treatment, there is a focus to ensure that they are adequately supported at home during their recuperation.
Long-term support for older people
Long Term Support (LTS) encompasses Adult Social Care services provided with the intention of maintaining quality of life for an individual on an ongoing basis, and which has been allocated on the basis of eligibility criteria / policies (i.e. an assessment of need has taken place) and are subject to regular review.
At the end of June 2024, over 2,800 people in Wakefield aged 65 years and above were accessing long-term support via community, residential and nursing care.
References
Local Government Association (2024) LG Inform research report, Insights from CLD Adults Accessing Long-term support in Adult Social Care in Wakefield. Link: https://lginform.local.gov.uk
NOMIS (2024) Census 2011 and 2021. Link: https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/sources/census
Projecting Older People Population Information System (POPPI) (2024) Link: https://www.poppi.org.uk/
Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) (2024), Fingertips: Productive Healthy Ageing Profile. Link: https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/healthy-ageing
NHS England (2024) Adult Social Care Data Hub. Link: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/data-tools-and-services/data-services/adult-social-care-data-hub?area=adult-social-care-publications
Further information and services
Wakefield Council
Wakefield Council, Adult Social Care Services
Wakefield Council, Adult Social Care Local Account