Age Scotland says cutting services such as Meals on Wheels and exercise classes for older people is adding to Scotland's social care burden
Cuts to to social care budgets and community services are having a devastating impact on older Scots, a leading charity has said.
Age Scotland is calling on the Scottish Government to work with councils to safeguard services for older people and combat loneliness and isolation.
The latest research by the Accounts Commission shows that councils are struggling to meet demand for social care in the face of growing demand.
It reported that councils face increasingly critical budget after cuts of almost 10 per cent in real terms over eight years.
The report highlighted “significant concerns” about availability and quality of social care in many council areas.
Funding cuts for community services such as leisure facilities and civic centres are also having a negative impact on older people’s health and wellbeing.
According to the report, libraries, museums and sports facilities have all reduced spending, with many cutting subsidies such as free swimming for over-65s in Inverclyde. Funding for community centres and services such as Meals on Wheels and Food Train, which provides grocery shopping and other help for older people, has also been cut.
Brian Sloan, chief executive of Age Scotland, said: “As council budgets are increasingly squeezed, this is having a devastating impact on older people throughout Scotland.
“We hear from people across Scotland who are struggling to care for older relatives or facing long waits for care packages to be put in place. This can result in their health deteriorating faster with a knock-on impact on hospital admissions.
“We welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to tackling loneliness and isolation, but it’s clear that councils require more support to deliver services on the ground and reach the people most in need.”
Earlier in the week, the charity Contact the Elderly spoke out after it was revealed the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) would be withdrawing Meals on Wheels completely from Scotland by the end of the year.
Morna O’ May, head of service, said: “RVS reports it has gone from 80 services to just 15 in the space of three years. Food Train had believed it was going to expand its service and garnered the support of thousands when it found out the future was uncertain.
“At a time when tackling social isolation and managing the care of our ageing population has been high on the political agenda, the closure of these much-loved and vital services is a devastating, and ironic, blow."
The Scottish Government said that cuts to local council reflect reduced funding coming from Westminster to Scotland.
Finance minister Derek Mackay said: “Despite these cuts to the Scottish Government’s budget we have treated local government fairly and in 2018-19, councils will receive a £10.7 billion funding settlement, providing a real terms boost to spending.”
