The debate may be wrapped up in wrangling over spending cuts, but apparently older people are looking for something different these days.

Leeds City Council is in the midst of a wide consultation about care for the elderly and threatening to close its residential homes and day centres.

Its leaders say these are not what people want and are giving them a chance to shape their own future.

The number of people over 65 is set to rise by a staggering 86 per cent by 2050 – and the UK’s ageing population is constantly described as a threat and a drain on our resources.

But far from increasing pressure on traditional care, statistics show trends going the other way.

Figures show demand for the Council’s 16 day centres is actually falling – attendance ranges from just 39 to 62 per cent.

The reason, according to Council literature, is that the elderly are accessing support and services direct from their community instead.

As people enjoy higher standards of living, they no longer want to be slotted in a “one-size-fits-all” package. As individuals, we should be given more choice and control and the chance to stay in our own homes.

The consultation will seek views on proposals to close the Council’s 19 residential care homes, most of which were built in the 1960s and are in need of refurbishment.

Instead, budgets could be spent on those in need of a higher standard of care or commissioning more beds in private care homes.

Leeds councillor Lucinda Yeadon, executive board member with responsibility for adult social care, says it is now really important to involve as many people as possible in the consultation process.

“We have some really difficult decisions to make in adult social care, as the number of older people in the city continues to grow and the Council’s budget is subject to massive cuts,” she explains.

“In light of this we have no option but to look at how we deliver our services going forward. We need to make sure that we have the services in place to look after our most vulnerable people with the resources that are available to us.”

Otley Action for Older People, which offers direct services such as luncheon clubs, outings and welfare advice, believes residential homes are now the last resort for most.

Project manager Sue Trainor says: “Our aim is to try to support people to live independently in their own homes as long as they possibly can.

‘‘I don’t think people would want to go into a residential home out of choice unless it comes to a point where they can’t cope at home. We aim to help people live a good-quality life.”

One Otley man thinks he may have the answer. Vic Berry wants to jump outside the realms of local authority care and set up a co-operative for the elderly. An experienced voluntary worker, he says his own experience helping elderly relatives has been an “eye-opener” – large-scale services with demotivated staff who have no time to build relationships.

Members would pay £1 for a share in a co-operative which would enable them to ‘bulk-buy’ services, as well as provide much-needed jobs.

“I am over 50 years in age and I can see the onset of old age,” he reflects.

“I want to be ready to meet the daily challenge my elderly relatives are facing now; help in getting to medical appointments, help with the shopping and cleaning, DIY around the house, help with cooking a decent meal that I like.

“We can solve these problems together by forming a co-operative and employing our own people to provide the day-to-day services we need with dignity, sensitivity and above all else, collective control, so if anything goes wrong, we can put it right – we don’t feel powerless and beholden to a higher authority.”

Leeds City Council’s public consultation about adult residential and day care services runs until April.

Visit the consultation section of the Council’s website at leeds.gov.uk or call Diane Lillevik on (0113) 247 8595 for a paper factsheet.

To find out more about Vic Berry’s co-operative, call 07946 864879 or e-mail him at vic_berry@hotmail.com.