TENDRING is facing a care home shortage, a report has revealed.

An extra 2,500 places are needed across Essex for elderly residents who need some sort of support.

The shortages, in extra care – previously known as assisted living – spaces are particularly severe in the Tendring, Basildon, Chelmsford and Castle Point districts.

Essex County Council is looking to supply 360 extra places.

A report on health services for the future, commissioned by the council said: “Commissioners are working to explore options for partnerships with property developers in order to stimulate initiatives where opportunities arise.

“This approach needs to grow significantly in the coming years.”

At the same time, the council is trying to make sure more people stay at home.

The report added: “Extended periods of residential stay are no longer the way forward and the market needs to work with us to design service offers, such as long-term response to health issues, helping people to stay in the home.”

About 32,000 people in Essex receive social care now. This is expected to increase, but it is the rise in dementia care which could be the most challenging.

The numbers needing dementia care in Essex are expected to rise from 19,700 in 2014 to 36,160 within 20 years.