Population forecasts show that pressure on our already strained care system is set to increase.

Next up, it’s not the make-do-and-mend post war generation, it’s the Baby Boomers, the Woodstock generation.  These savvy senior citz will expect personalisation and choice.  They’ll be looking for stimulation not snoozing; organic produce, not corned beef hash. Old china and chintz TV rooms in care homes won’t wash.

The private sector is on the case. Government is certainly alert to the potential pressures and so are the many charities and voluntary sector organisations that support us. Care budgets are already handed over to users to spend. We’re likely to see some significant changes in the way care is provided over the coming decade.

The current route map goes something like this: prevention > easily accessible care > help at home >care home > end of life plans. Care villages are springing up across the UK that provide a route from independent living to cared-for living through a physical location – a mix of private housing and care home with public cafe and other facilities to create a village vibe.

The National Council for Palliative Care and National Care Forum have published A 2030 vision: building communities and environments to support people to live and die well

The report warns that urgent action is needed to deal with demographic and social changes, including an increase in the number of people aged 60 and over, more people living longer with chronic life-limiting conditions, growing numbers of people living alone and planned increases to the state pension age.