Charges threat to care for disabled
People with disabilities are considering cancelling crucial care packages because of rising charges.
It is thought 350 people across the region will be affected by Perth and Kinross Council’s decision to change the threshold for contribution charges for non-residential social care.
From October 1 anyone under the age of 65 years who receives care at home and has an income of more than £134 per week will be asked to foot the rest of the bill for the vital services they receive.
The current benchmark is £204 per week, meaning vulnerable people will be left with less money to fund living costs, as well as issues specific to their own needs such as disability-related adaptations to their homes.
The changes, initially approved as part of the council budget-setting process in 2016 and rubber-stamped following a public consultation and budget agreement February this year, were the subject of a meeting hosted by Strathearn Building Bridges recently.
In addition to office-bearers and families connected to the disability support charity, those gathered at Crieff’s Strathearn Community Campus included Gillian Edwards from the Centre For Inclusive Living Perth and Kinross, Ochil and South Perthshire MP Luke Graham, a representative for Roseanna Cunningham MSP, Strathearn councillor Stewart Donaldson and Crieff Community Council chair Harry Tomason.
The meeting was told that the revised threshold was in line with a recommendation drawn up by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) but that PKC was one of only two of the country’s councils to ask people to foot 100 per cent of the care package once the cutoff point is reached.
Several people pointed out that a council report which stated that the maximum additional cost as a result of the changes would be £60 per week was wide of the mark, with some quoting a figure closer to £100.
The local authority also came under fire for a lack of notice given to the families concerned and the use of an “average client” model to work out a policy which impacts people with specific individual needs.
One parent said: “We all know that the council is looking to save money
and we appreciate that but we don’t see why some of the most vulnerable people should be the ones who pay the price.”
Ms Edwards emphasised the emotional impact of the move in addition to the financial implications, an aspect mentioned repeatedly by family members concerned that younger people with learning and physical disabilities were being unfairly singled out.
She said: “It’s not just about the money. It’s about the stress this is putting people under. I know people with learning disabilities who are thinking about cancelling their care packages.”
The often unseen care contribution Building Bridges members after their meeting of family members and other loved ones was also highlighted on a number of occasions, as was the timing of the policy’s implementation ahead of the introduction of ‘Frank’s Law’, which will see free personal care introduced for everyone who requires it, regardless of age, in April next year.
Building Bridges secretary Gillian Charleston summed up the discussion by saying concerns remained over the reduced threshold, the way in which the policy has been introduced and what the extra money paid in care fees would be used for.
A possible appeal was suggested, with the group keen to contact as many affected families as possible.
The various politicians all pledged to support Building Bridges in its efforts and take up the issue with the relevant authorities.
Mr Graham said: “It’s so important that carers’ voices are heard and I will be working with council colleagues to try to address the concerns raised.”
Ms Cunningham said: “There are only two councils in Scotland that require a 100 per cent contribution and I completely understand the concern that my constituents have about the increase in charges that they are facing.
“I am urging the council to listen to the voices of those affected and rethink their position, particularly as the situation may very well change again once Frank’s Law comes into force in less than a year.”
Mrs Charleston said: “One of the actions we agreed was to gather information from as many of our members as possible to demonstrate to the council exactly what impact the proposals will have.”
Strathearn Building Bridges’ next committee meeting takes place in Strathearn Community Campus at 6.30pm on August 30. To contact the group email gcharleson@btinternet. com