Story Highlight
- West Devon named best area in South West for growing old.
- Study ranked 294 districts based on 37 different measures.
- South Gloucestershire ranks second in the region and 34th nationally.
- Stroud reports lowest loneliness rates and rising pharmacy numbers.
- Plymouth excels in transport accessibility and affordable housing prices.
Full Story
One area in the South West of England has been recognised as the best place for older adults to live, ranking 31st out of 294 districts nationwide. A study conducted by Lovett Care evaluated various factors, including healthcare, accessibility, housing costs, community aspects, and safety, awarding West Devon a score of 71.4 out of 100. This district achieved the highest health and community and safety scores in the South West. It also reports the lowest rate of hospital admissions due to falls among over-65s in the region and the second-lowest rate of hip fractures nationally. Moreover, 91.6% of GP appointments in West Devon are attended the same or the next day. For residents without cars, the area provides excellent access to local services, featuring the second-best provision of post offices and railway stations in the region, alongside having the third-cleanest air.
South Gloucestershire placed second in the South West and 34th overall in England, boasting the best care quality in the region according to the Care Quality Commission. The district also has the highest rate of NHS dentist access while only 7.35% of households experience fuel poverty, the lowest rate in the South West. Stroud took the third position in the region and ranks 42nd overall with a score of 69.7 out of 100. It has a commendable environmental assessment and records low rates of loneliness among adults and low-income prevalence among older residents. The number of pharmacies in Stroud has increased by 6.25% over four years, the highest growth rate in the South West.
Plymouth is fourth in the region and 60th in England, scoring 67.1 out of 100. The city scored best for accessibility without a car and has the lowest rate of hip fracture admissions among over-65s in the country, as well as affordable housing prices compared to local earnings. The Cotswolds complete the region’s top five, ranking 73rd nationally, with the best environmental score in the South West and a notable community and safety record due to the lowest crime rate and abundant public amenities.
The report indicates that sixteen of the region’s districts fall in the top half of the national rankings, with three in the top 50. Exeter possesses the best care score in the South West, coming in at 17th nationally, while Tewkesbury excels in housing and living costs. Cathryn Fairhurst, Managing Director Operations at Lovett Care, noted that the study highlights important considerations for older individuals when choosing a place to live, emphasising the significance of various factors such as community services and access to nature.
Source: read the original report.
