The programme explored the challenges of providing social care for the growing older population in the coming years and how services will have to adapt to meet the increasing demand in the future.

Dorset was chosen to take part in the programme due to the particularly high proportion of older people which reflects how the rest of the country will look in coming years. Currently, a third of the UK's population is aged over 50 and this is expected to rise by another 30 per cent over the next 20 years. In Dorset the figure is even higher and over the next five years, expected to grow to 40 per cent of the total population.

The programme considered the national issues and investigates how people and local authorities will fund care in the future. Highlights from Dorset included how new services are being developed to complement and in some cases replace more traditional services.

Broadcaster and writer Dame Joan Bakewell, who until recently was government advisor on older people, presented the programme. She spent several days in Dorset speaking to council representatives and older people who feature in the programme.

Andrew Archibald, head of older people's services at Dorset County Council, said: "We were pleased to take part in the Panorama programme and to share with viewers how Dorset is managing the pressures of an ageing population. We are developing a strong emphasis on early intervention and prevention and work in partnership with older people and a wide range of organisations to promote health and wellbeing. There are huge financial pressures being faced by councils in the years ahead, but re-designing services and better technology can make services more efficient and more personal.

"Health and social care providers will have to adapt to the UK's ageing population and the needs of older people must be a central part of planning for all local services. In the recent few years there has been an accelerating policy development to give older people a voice in local service planning. A more innovative, personalised service is being developed to preserve independence and quality of life for people as well as having an eye to the public purse. The vision in Dorset is to build supportive communities to enable people to remain living in their own homes for as long as they wish by developing responsive and appropriate services that enhance quality of life.

"The ageing of the UK population and growth in the numbers of older people will bring challenges but also benefits in the coming decades."