Cumbria 'great place for elderly' (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Cumbria 'great place for elderly'

5:45pm Thursday 28th May 2009

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CUMBRIA has been voted the third best area in the UK for social care, according to an independent survey of nearly 14,000 older people commissioned by business group Saga.

The survey of over 50s looks at the best places for older and retired people to live across the UK and what things make an area attractive.

Ninety two per cent chose Cumbria as a great place to live in retirement due to being near the countryside, 88% due to the peace and quiet and 66% due to the friendly neighbourhoods.

Other top reasons for choosing Cumbria included low crime rates, good leisure opportunities and good public amenities.

Cumbria came out as the third best area for social care, with 31% of people rating social care facilities in the county as either 'good' or 'very good'; only three per cent of respondents rated social care facilities in Cumbria as 'extremely bad'.

The happiest older people are those who are living in rural areas and those who do not think they would be any happier if they were, according to the survey.

Richard Parry, acting director of adult and cultural service at Cumbria County Council, said: “In England, 43% of over-50s plan to move away when they retire and it is really good news that people both old and young appreciate all the great things Cumbria has to offer.”

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