​A ticking time bomb of a rising number of elderly people in Gloucestershire could see huge cutbacks in care services, say social welfare bosses.

The number of over-75s in the county is predicted to rise by 70 per cent, from approximately 52,000 now to 86,000 by 2025, squeezing the budget to the limit.

The county council has pledged to treat care services for older people as a “top priority for investment”, but admits the strain on its purse will be a “serious challenge” and is reviewing the services it provides.

The authority is already helping 50 per cent more people this year to live independently in their own homes and has reduced the waiting list to receive care at home by 60 per cent.

It is also helping 25 per cent more carers this year, including family members and friends.

County council chief executive Peter Bungard said: “With so many more customers, it is the biggest growth pressure on our budget.

“Much of our thinking is about how we find more resources and the right strategies to provide support and care for people as they get older.”

The number of people with disabilities is also set to rise from 10,827 in 2008 to an estimated 12,311 in 2025.

The county council’s social care budget for 2010/11, including budgets from Government grants, is £158 million. Older people’s services take a slice of around £72 million. The authority is investing an extra £7.1 million in the care of increased numbers of older people, those with physical disabilities and people with learning difficulties, for 2010/11, compared with 2009/10.

The council’s main services for older people are focused on helping them stay in their own homes, independently and safely. They include delivering meals to older and vulnerable people, giving advice and information and signposting services provided by village agents.

The agents are jointly funded by the county and the NHS but run by Gloucestershire Rural Community Council and – to help with personal care – home support workers.

Services at day centres to give social activities and emergency support for individuals and carers are also on the list.

The county council is working on a blueprint for people over 50 whom it says must be prepared for old age but have an important community role to play in later life.

Council leader Barry Dare said: “Public authorities can often assume older people contacting them need care support and shape their response accordingly.

“In fact, their needs and interests are as diverse as any other person’s.

“We need to make sure we don’t put people in the ‘needy and dependent’ pigeonhole too soon and all our mainstream services are able to be used easily by people well into older age.

“We should ensure those aged 50-plus can get the advice they need to make the choices that face them.”

Christina Snell, from Age Concern Gloucestershire, said its services would feel a knock-on effect as demand grew, and would have to grow accordingly.

She said: “We’re a charity and we’re set up to plug the gaps. As the pressure continues to increase on the statutory sector we’ll have to pick up more and more.

“We all have to take responsibility for ourselves and plan for old age.

“Older people can have a lot to contribute, lots of them are involved in volunteering and contribute to the economy in caring for the grandchildren.”

When 92-year-old Nathan Nightingale had part of his leg amputated shortly after the death of his beloved wife Eileen, he would have been forgiven for wanting to give up.

But with his indomitable spirit and help from home support workers, he is now determined to drive his car and even walk again.

Mr Nightingale, from Bishop’s Cleeve, said: “They were the best services you could have.”

The carers helped to bring out the fighting side of the fiercely independent pensioner, who had been a staff sergeant in World War II.

He said the loss of his leg, which followed a period of pain, had been a big blow.

He said: “The doctor said to take a couple of paracetamol, but my daughter said we were going to Cheltenham General.

“The doctor told me he was going to give me the thrill of my life – sending me in an ambulance to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital with sirens and blue lights flashing.

“They found I’d had an aneurism and the surgeon said my leg below the knee had to come off, and quickly. About 12 hours later, it had all gone.”

After six weeks’ recuperation, Mr Nightingale came home. He said: “I’m not one for getting depressed – if something’s going to happen, it’s going to happen.

“I had a wheelchair and could still cook and make my bed, but a lady came in every morning at 8am to get me up and dressed.

“I don’t think she did it once because I’d managed it. They were absolutely splendid and they’d do anything you’d ask them to do. I’m 92 and it’s harder to do things now, but I’m going to give it my best shot to walk again and I’ve a very nice car in the drive I’d like to drive again.”