The number of people aged 65 or over in Bracknell Forest is lower than it is in most of the country but is set to rise sharply.

According to the Office for National Statistics, 12.4 per cent of Bracknell Forest’s population is aged 65 or over, lower than the national average and lower than it is in Wokingham, Reading, Windsor and Maidenhead and West Berkshire.

The only area in Berkshire with a lower percentage of over 65s is Slough where just 11.5 per cent of the population is 65 or older.

But the department for work and pensions predicts that Bracknell’s population is set to age dramatically over the next 20 years meaning that 19 per cent of the population here will be aged over 65 by 2031.

Glyn Jones, director of adult social care at Bracknell Forest Council, said: “We use statistics predicted for 2025 to plan by but, nevertheless, we know we have a fast rising number of older people even though we’re starting from a smaller base.

“My view is that its linked to Bracknell being a new town – if you think about who came in the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies they were probably young working people in their twenties and thirties.

“Now they’re all in their seventies and eighties now and that’s what’s causing the difference.”

The council has already put plans in place to cope with the ageing population. The council’s Older Persons Strategy was devised to help the town cope with the rising number of over 65s.

It focuses on housing, neighbourhoods, social activities and networks, getting out and about, income, information and health and it provides a framework for the council to make its policies.

The council is also introducing a strategy which gives older people control over the budget allocated to them, so they can choose the services they want to take advantage of.

Glyn added: “Our approach to personalisation will mean that the way older people can access services will change – they will have much more choice.

“We are also working on getting information to people who want to help themselves.

“Another thing we’re working on is the housing strategy and that’s not just social housing, its private housing as well.”

More information on the council’s Older Persons Strategy is available through www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk.

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