The elderly and people with dementia are staying away from day centres that provide lifeline services because of a rise in care costs, it has been claimed.
The Courier reported last month that West Lothian Council had introduced means-tested charges for the centres.
The changes mean some clients will have to pay towards the cost of their day care. Council bosses say contributions here will be lower than the majority of areas in Scotland but those providing activities at centres say they have noticed a drop in the number of people attending.
One woman, who asked not to be named, runs a dementia choir at a local day centre.
She said: “Music, singing and general camaraderie benefit people with dementia so much.
“It is so frustrating to know that due to the spiralling costs of day care many are going to be penalised and won’t be attending these places to participate in what can only be beneficial to them and their families.
“Older people should be enjoying themselves and not stressed or worried about how they are going to pay their day care fees and stopped from going to a place that has been a lifeline.”
West Lothian Council stressed that only those who are assessed as being able to make a contribution towards the cost of their care will have to do so.
They also said they will support individuals through a personal income check to ensure they claiming all the benefits that they are entitled to.
Executive councillor for social policy Angela Doran said: “Social care is experiencing unprecedented growth in demand and changes to the way services are delivered are necessary to ensure we continue to support the most vulnerable people in West Lothian.
“The contributions policy will generate income but it’s important to stress that this income is not enough to pay for the service.
“The council will continue to fund the majority of the total cost. Contributions will still be lower in West Lothian than the majority of other areas in Scotland and are expected to raise income of approximately four per cent of the expenditure we incur on these services, compared to the Scottish average of approximately seven per cent.”
