The population of North East Lincolnshire is rapidly changing. People are living longer and the number of over 65s is increasing. By 2025 it is estimated there will be an additional 10,000 people in this age group in the area. During the early part of November the NHS Care Trust Plus will be sending an Older People’s Needs Assessment Questionnaire to 3400 people aged 65 and above.

On top of the rise in numbers expectations are also changing, older people remain active longer and expect to live in better health than earlier generations.

Obviously these changes will not only greatly affect the type of services the Care Trust Plus and North East Lincolnshire Council provides but also increase the demands put on these services.

Commenting Cynthia Manson-Siddle, Deputy Director of Public Health said, “The Care Trust Plus and Council want to improve services for older people in our area and to make sure the right kind of help is there when they need it. To do this we require information about people’s needs and potential future demands. So we need to hear from older people to tell us about their health and social needs.

She said “The survey is the largest population survey to have been undertaken in the area for several years and will cover 12% of the total number of over 65s in North East Lincolnshire.”

The questionnaire will focus on such issues as general health and nutrition, retirement and retirement planning, transport needs, social activities, communication needs, support needs in the community and so on.

She went on to say “We are asking anyone who receives a questionnaire to take a little time to complete and return it in the postage paid envelope provided. All information is strictly confidential. Only by getting a large response can we make sure that the views are representative of the community as a whole.”