Seven Northumberland day care centres under threat

Jun 9 2009 by David Black, The Journal

“She has her hair washed one day and gets a bath on a Friday at the day centre, but the main thing is meeting up with other people twice-a-week to reminisce, chat, have lunch and play dominoes. Where is an 88-year-old woman going to go out on her own when she can’t even walk very well?

“To me, the idea of closing these centres is just so sad. They are cutting services to elderly people, and they are the most vulnerable.”

Labour county councillor for Blyth, Deirdre Campbell, said: “This is completely shocking and I have to ask why the county council seems to be continually targeting the elderly. To me, it is because they are an easy target.

“These day care centres are a lifeline to many elderly people because for some they are the only place where they see other human faces, and they really look forward to that. This idea is crazy because we are talking about a brilliant service.” Marie McWilliams, head of campaigns and community engagement with Age Concern Northumberland, said: “We understand that some older people may not want to participate in traditional day centres.

“However, we ourselves provide social day care at 15 day centres across the county under contract to Northumberland Care Trust.

“In contrast to the view that these centres are waning in popularity, we are running at capacity in most and have waiting lists for many. We are concerned that under the guise of extending choice, social day care centres will close and actually reduce the options available for older people.”

The county council says trained staff will offer elderly people help with making arrangements to use their personal budgets, if they want it. However, some may choose to make plans for themselves or with help from family members and friends.

Daljit Lally, executive director of adult care, said: “At one time, traditional day care centres were very popular with older people, but more and more people expect choice and want to be able to carry on living their own lives in their own way.

“Increasing numbers of people have been asking us to make individual arrangements to help them to get out and do the things they choose to do, instead of sending the bus to take them to the centre with everyone else. Local authorities have agreed with the Government that all adults who need our support should be offered personal budgets to give them this kind of freedom.”