THE number of care homes in Scotland has plunged by one-quarter since the turn of the millennium while the number of pensioners has climbed by 18 per cent.

New figures show residential places for the frail elderly are continuing to fall. Nine closed their doors in the more recent financial year.

More people are being looked after in their own homes, in line with Scottish Government policy.

However, Ranald Mair, chief executive officer of Scottish Care, which represents care providers, said as the number of 85-year-olds increases "there will inevitably be more demand for care home provision".

Care homes also have the potential to be used as a stop-gap between home and hospital, freeing ward beds for new patients, according to Mr Mair. He added: "It is therefore crucial that local commissioners make sure they get the numbers right in terms of care home capacity and what might be required in the future."

The report on care home capacity, published by the statistics arm of the Scottish NHS yesterday, showed the number of care homes in Scotland is down from 1,669 in March 2000 to 1,249 in March this year. The number that specialise in elderly care has fallen from 1,059 to 902. Bigger homes mean the total number of registered care places had dropped less steeply, but the figure is still in decline.

The same report also revealed the cost of a care home place to pensioners who fund their own care has risen to an average of £712 a week. This is up from £535 in 2007. Councils, meanwhile, pay an average of £534 for pensioners who cannot afford their fees - up from £438 seven years ago.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We recognise an increasingly elderly population with more complex needs will need a health and social care system that responds differently to their needs. That is why we are introducing the integration of health and social care, helping people move between the two services more easily."

He added that care home providers are working with the government and councils to design cost-effective, flexible models of specialist residential care, which support people short-term to regain their independence.