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So, what will the demand for nursing care homes in the future be within the UK? This is certainly an industry that has grown by a substantial amount in the last 20 years with an estimated 21,000 nursing homes currently in operation. It is known, and accepted as fact, that it may be an expensive way to care for elderly relatives, but with an ageing population it is clear that there will be a continued roll for them for some time to come. Population Demographics Will Determine Their Success. We know that the average life expectancy in the UK is increasing with one reflection of this being the way in which the government has started to increase the age when people can get their pension. Indeed, numerous studies have focused on the anticipated average life expectancy within the UK and the results are rather starting to say the least. For example, the average life expectancy for a child that is born in 2015 is anticipated to be almost 95 for women and 91 for men. This is an improvement on people born in 1980 where the average age is expected to be 87 for women and 84 for men. Clearly this is going to have an impact on the demand for nursing homes as it means that there will be a greater number of people over the age of 65. However, with an increase in population it does also mean that an increased number will require care in their later years, but we are generally that busy with our own lives that we lack the time and ability to give them the care that they need. That is where nursing homes come into their own, so it stands to reason that the demand will not only still be there, but will increase as a result. It is also important to point out that studies by BUPA have shown an increase in the number of people suffering from some form of dementia in nursing homes. Indeed, in 2003, the figure stood at 36%, but this had increased to 44% by 2009 and has since climbed higher still. This trend also strengthens the idea that there will always be a demand for nursing care homes due to the specialized care that is required. How Big Is The Demand Going To Be? It is obvious that thanks to us living longer that we will still need nursing homes, but how big will it be? Of course this is merely speculation, but private health care companies such as BUPA have at least made an attempt to get to grips with how the future may very well pan out. Their conclusions are that the number of places available have dropped due to closures and a reduction in the number of beds available via the NHS, but the demand will indeed remain high due to incidences of dementia, other neurological disorders, and frailty. However, it is also anticipated that there will be an increase in care required for sufferers of diabetes due to an increase in the number of people that are obese within the UK. It is therefore believed that care home ashbourne will need to change their approach and the type of care that they offer in the future. Overall, it is fair to say that the demand for this type of care will increase for the reasons that have been stated above. The only unknowns are the number of homes that will be open, the number of beds that are available, and how much it will cost and perhaps that is the greatest worry rather than thinking about the potential demand.
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