Cuts to funding is a big issue for day care centres

Charity boss says they are important asset

CHARITY Age UK has raised concerns about massive cuts to funding for adult day care centres.

Bosses at Age UK in Leicester say cuts to day centres are forcing people out of their own homes and into full time residential care.

The figures collected from local councils by The Telegraph using Freedom of Information requests reveal an average funding cut of 30 per cent for day centres over the past five years.

Some councils have cut up to 55 per cent of their funding for adult day care centres.

Tony Donovan, Executive Director of Age UK Leicestershire & Rutland said: “In Leicestershire and Rutland we provide day care because it helps with the health and wellbeing of the family carer, many of whom look after their loved ones 50 plus hours a week. It gives them a break from their care role on a regular basis.

“If services like day centres are not there or carers are not connected to them, many older carers tend not to reach out for help until when they hit a crisis point or when their own health breaks down. So, day care is supporting carers before a crisis happens and is therefore a preventative service.

“For those lucky enough to have one, day centres play an essential role in helping older people who live at home remain independent. They provide important opportunities for social contact, access to information and advice and help with mobility.”

“Day centres must remain an integral part of a joinedup approach to caring for older people and their families. A marked and continual decline in funding for day centres is yet another aspect of a social care crisis which the government must address.”

The figures collected from local councils by The Telegraph using Freedom of Information requests reveal an average funding cut of 30 per cent for day centres over the past five years.