Up to 3,000 elderly people won’t be able to get beds in UK care homes by the end of next year research commissioned by BBC Radio 4’s ‘You and Yours’ programme has revealed due to a huge shortfall in the number of beds available.

With an increasing demand from an ageing population the report suggests that we could see the shortfall grow to more than 70,000 beds within nine years.

Currently new rooms are being built at half the rate that demand is increasing suggests research by property consultants JLL.

This is going to leave vulnerable elderly people stuck in hospital (bed blocking) while they await suitable residential accommodation.

Live in Care is seen as an affordable and much more flexible option for people than a nursing or residential home. This area of the market is set to see an increasing demand as the lack of nursing and residential home beds becomes more acute.

Everycare Eastbourne, which provides live in care services to the people of Eastbourne and the immediate surrounding areas (including Seaford, Hailsham, Cooden and Bexhill) is part of the live in care hub, an organisation who’s mission is to raise awareness of this vital service. Jessica Holding, Everycare Eastbourne’s Live in Care Manager said ‘We have already started to see a significant increase in enquiries about the service and a number of local solicitors have asked to meet with us to discuss how the service can help their clients’. She added ‘I’m sure that as live in care becomes better known we’re going to see more and more people choosing to stay in their own home with live in care over residential care’.

If you have any questions about the Everycare live in care service, please contact Jess on 01323 430762

During the week Imogen Edwards, Everycare Eastbourne’s nursing manager, is busy booking shifts with nursing homes but she spends her weekends competing in showjumping and cross country events on her faithful horse ‘Trev’

She’s pictured here (with Trev) at Felbridge showground where she competed in two separate show jumping events cheered on by her Everycare colleagues.

Keep the rosettes coming Imogen (and Trev!)

The team from Everycare Eastbourne will be down at the Arndale Centre on Wednesday the 24th of May.

It is an open event where people can come along and chat about the opportunities of working for Everycare or about the services we provide.

There will be the opportunity to talk about our live in care service which offers an affordable alternative to residential care.

So, if you are looking to work in the care sector, or if would just like to talk about the service and what we can do for you or a family member come down and see us.