Cuts in respite help force families to cancel holidays

FAMILIES are being prevented from going on holiday because councils are failing to provide care for frail and disabled relations, Age UK has said.

The charity said respite care provided by councils was being cut, and in some cases family members were being asked to cancel or change their holiday plans.

In one case, a woman caring for her disabled motherin-law was asked to give up an arranged family holiday by social workers, who asked her to make sure a family member stayed at home to provide care.

“The Care Act sets out the right for family carers to have an assessment of the support they need to maintain their well-being and to be able to perform their caring role,” the charity’s report said.

“However, increasingly support is being withdrawn from families providing this essential care.”

In another case, a man who cares for his daughter had his support package, which included access to a gym, a local club and weekend breaks, withdrawn after the council reassessed him and concluded he was no longer eligible.

The report also found that older people are unable to access at-home care because councils are not responding to enquiries, or telling them

‘Support is being withdrawn from families providing this essential care’

they must wait for several months for an assessment.

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, chairman of the Local Government Association’s community well-being board, said: “Continued cuts to funding for adult social care are putting an impossible squeeze on councils and providers to deliver care for those that need it.

“The number of people affected by contract cancellations in home care is greater than those in residential care.”