PLANS to erect a 70-bed care home in Scunthorpe are the latest in a string of new developments looking to cater for a growing elderly population.

The number of over-75s in the region will increase from 13,100 in 2008 to 23,000 by 2025, according to official projections published by NHS North Lincolnshire.

New care homes and extensions currently going through the planning process could result in more than 200 more beds in the region, with private health companies moving in to meet demand.

Stuart Wilson, lead member for healthier communities and adults at North Lincolnshire Council, believes private companies can provide affordable care for the region's spiralling elderly population.

He said: "I think this is good news for the area. Choosing a care home is a very important decision for people and families and it is important they have as much choice as possible.

"For a long time now it has not been seen as cost-effective for local authorities to run their own care homes and in this case it has been appropriate for the private sector to step in.

"To have more care homes being built in the area is always a positive, as the competition between these companies means people will get better value for money in the care they receive.

"These companies will have done their research and will have seen the demand in this area, and I'm confident they will be able to meet the growing demand for beds in the years ahead."

The NHS North Lincolnshire report also suggested the region would have to find 50 per cent more care home beds by 2025 to provide for the region's elderly population.

Conditions associated with old age such as dementia are set to place a growing demand on care home places, according to NHS figures.

There are currently 35 care homes in North Lincolnshire providing care for people with dementia, with 829 beds available.

But by 2025 it is thought that 1,246 people in the region will require care home beds because of dementia.

The predicted 71 per cent rise in sufferers is far above national estimates of 51 per cent, and more than double the projected growth of neighbouring NHS Hull – where a 31 per cent increase is anticipated.

With concerns growing over a spiralling social care bill for dementia sufferers, the new coalition Government has promised to set up a commission on long-term care that will report within a year.

A spokesperson for Alzheimer's UK said: "The promise to establish a commission on long-term care offers hope to millions of people currently being penalised by a crumbling care system.

"People with dementia have already told us they want good care at a fair price and the Government must deliver radical reform to avoid a care crisis.

"Prioritising dementia research will also help put an end to the drastic under-funding care we see today."