Residential care would be phased out

The authority's cabinet meets on Thursday to consider adopting a policy to help people stay in their own homes, rather than go into residential accommodation.

A report has proposed that special centres and sheltered housing would replace some of the 10 residential homes currently serving the county.

Age Concern has welcomed the moves, despite the closure threats.

The recommendations include drawing up a plan for each of Conwy's communities, detailing how the new model could be put in place.

Residential care is unpopular among the elderly Bryn Williams, Age Concern

Bethan Jones, Conwy's Director of Social Care and Health, says the Residential Homes Review is the result of an eight-month long public consultation on the future of residential homes in the county.

"We propose to create centres of excellence which would provide meals, occupational therapy services and social work services to older people who want the choice of staying in their own home for longer.

"For others, extra care housing would be provided so that people can live in flats with a higher level of care from on-site staff," she said.

The report suggests the changes should be phased in gradually over a period of years in order, it says, to minimise any effect on those currently living in residential homes.

Bryn Williams, Chief Officer of Age Concern in North Wales Central, said he is reassured the council is not rushing into the decision and the changes will be gradual.

"We visited every council-run home in Conwy as part of the consultation process and spoke independently to residents, their family and friends," he said.

"We found that residential care is unpopular among the elderly.

"Many said they didn't want to be there and would prefer to be in their own homes."

Mr Williams says the current system will become more unpopular with the next generation of elderly people and he said he would prefer to see a new model of services developed.

A recent analysis of the 2001 census figures indicated that Conwy had a larger proportion of elderly residents than any other region in Wales.

GMB union said their research showed more than one in four of the county's population were eligible to draw a pension.

The new proposals would also include closing the Isallt home in Llandudno Junction for people with mental health problems.

Alternative housing would be found for the home's eight residents in the Llandudno area.