A series of focus groups which are asking people how they want to be cared for in the future are being launched around the county tomorrow.
Older people, carers, family members and anyone who's got opinions on the issue are all invited to attend the groups, which will inform a new Commissioning Strategy for older people being formulated by Cumbria County Council's Adult Social Care Directorate.
Councillor Oliver Pearson, cabinet member responsible for Adult Social Care and Health, said: "We want to hear as many views as possible so we can shape our services for the future. Cumbria's population is getting steadily older with almost four in ten residents expected to be aged 60 years and older by 2029. We need to be laying the right foundations now to cope with the demographic changes of the future."
The focus groups will be facilitated by independent agencies with support from Adult Social Care. Information obtained from these focus groups will contribute to the new Commissioning Strategy. It will also feed into the ongoing work on the modernisation of Cumbria Care, but is quite distinct from any formal process relating to this.
Groups will be held at:
Whitehaven 29th June 1-3pm at Old Customs House
Penrith 2nd July 2-4pm at Penrith Methodist Church
Kendal 3rd July 1-3:30pm at County Hall (Committee Room 2)
Barrow 6th July 1:30-3:30pm at Age Concern, Lakeland House, Abbey Road
Carlisle - Still To Be Arranged
Expenses will be reimbursed.
To confirm that people plan to attend, to manage numbers and for any queries please contact Brenda Shepherd 01539 773358 or email brenda.shepherd@cumbriacc.gov.uk
ENDS
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