It will cost people a lot more for day care services that they can’t afford!

Warning over plans to axe free day care

Apr 27, 2011

PROTESTORS are likely to lose their campaign to save free day-care services in Teesdale .
And experts warn the move will increase financial pressure on vulnerable people in the dale.
Durham County Council is expected to agree to proposals to begin charging hundreds of elderly, disabled and disadvantaged people for their day care.

The services, which are now often free, are aimed at giving them and their carers rest and respite. But if councillors approve the move today, the services will be means-tested.
Durham Dales Action For Carers offers support to hundreds of carers in Teesdale who look after people suffering from illness, depression and other issues. 
The charity does this by providing one-to-one support, educational courses and popular contemporary therapy sessions.
Geoff Kelly, who is the manager of the group, said residents were worried about the forthcoming charges.  He said: “This is not good news. If the costs go up then it’s going to cost people a lot more for day care services and if they can’t afford it, then the respite will fall on the carer.”
He added: “Some people don’t see themselves as carers. They see themselves as a dutiful partner, brother, daughter. 
“But caring can be a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week role, and the pressure can be immense.”
Council bosses estimate that 1,420 people will have to contribute to the cost of their care for the first time, 360 would be charged more and 690 would pay the same as they pay now.  Around 830 would continue to receive free care.
Durham County Council, which has to cut a total of £125m over the next four years, says the charges will save £900,000 in the first year and £600,000 the following year. 
Adults across Teesdale are already feeling the effects of the budget cuts. Clients at a day care centre for adults at Harmire Industrial Estate, Barnard Castle, have lost the use of their council funded mini-bus, as reported in last week’s Mercury. 
And young adults with learning disabilities who live in Craigmore House in Barnard Castle are also angry that their weekly services – including a scheme to help them learn new skills – will be scrapped.
Changes for existing day care users will start in September and anyone new to the services will start paying the increased fees from next Monday. 
The council said the proposed changes would make the system fairer to everyone. But a spokesman also admitted: “There is a risk that the implementation of the changes will result in a number of service users deciding to no longer use day care services which may impact on the viability of these services.”