A predicted population explosion of elderly residents in the Maldon district could lead to a shortfall of medical care and housing if plans are not made now.
According to Maldon District Council's housing strategy, the number of people over 75 years old will increase by 57 per cent in the next 20 years. There will be a 45 per cent rise in local people aged between 65 and 74 years old.
There are 9,400 over-65s living in the district but, according to figures based on the 2001 census, by 2022 the figure is expected to have gone up to 19,500 meaning big changes need to be planned for the area in the long-term.
Vicky Waldon, of Maldon and South Chelmsford Primary Care Trust (PCT), said long-term issues, such as how medical facilities in the district will cope, need to be addressed now.
"We are particularly looking into the extra demands on nursing and how we can tackle everyone's different needs," she said.
Published Friday July 16, 2004
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