OLDER people in Renfrewshire are living longer and being helped to live safely at home.

A 10-year plan has been drawn up which changes the way services are delivered to pensioners.

It is the result of a partnership between the council, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Renfrewshire Community Health Partnership and representatives from the voluntary and independent sectors.

Iain McMillan, convener of the council's social work, health and wellbeing policy board, said: "Our aim is to help older people enjoy a healthy, active, independent life for as long as possible.

"Over the last three years, we have invested significantly in the development of flexible and responsive community based health, social care and housing services so more older people in Renfrewshire are able to live for as long as possible in their own homes or in a homely setting.

"Many older people are benefitting from flexible care at home services in the evening or at weekends, from community meals, community alarms or through low level health and wellbeing services provided by our voluntary sector partners.

"There has also been a significant reduction in the number of days older people stay in hospital after they are medically fit to be discharged."

Mr McMillan said by 2035, the number of people who are over 65 will have risen by 50% and a rapidly growing number over 85-years-old, many of whom will be in poor health or have dementia.

He added: "Our success in supporting people at home means older people now don't need residential care home services until a much later age where a higher level of specialist nursing care in needed due to issues such as frailty and dementia.

"The change in the type of care required means we need to make the best use of all our resources across health and social care to meet the needs of the citizens of Renfrewshire."

vivienne.nicoll @eveningtimes.co.uk