Charity says these are some of the most extreme cutbacks ever seen
Urgent action is needed to stop budget cuts that would decimate community dementia care across the country.
Vital health and social care services supporting tens of thousands of people living with the condition, their families and carers are being earmarked for closure and severe reductions in some of the most extreme and widespread cutbacks ever seen.
Now, thousands are backing a campaign launched by Alzheimer Scotland calling for urgent action to stop the cuts.
Research by the charity found cuts worth nearly £154 million are being proposed to services for older people and community care across Scotland. Community and dementia-specific services rely on these areas for the bulk of their funding.
The decisions are being made by Integration Joint Boards (IJBs) which control health and social care spending in each local authority area. This means that dementia care provision can differ significantly from one local area to the next.
Alzheimer Scotland’s Stop the Cuts campaign calls for urgent action from health and political leaders to protect dementia care by bringing in a national standard that would guarantee quality care for all Scots.
A petition on the charity’s website - www.alzscot.org/StopTheCuts - has already gathered almost 7,000 signatures of support.
Among the areas worst affected by proposed cuts are care at home, respite and day care services, which provide lifeline support to people who are in a moderate to advanced stage of their illness.
Post diagnostic support services are also under pressure in some areas, despite a world leading commitment that every person diagnosed should receive a minimum of one year’s support.
Henry Simmons, Alzheimer Scotland’s chief executive, said: “The proposed cuts to older people and community care budgets across Scotland would have a devastating effect on thousands of people living with dementia and their families.
“We have assessed each local Integration Joint Board’s plans and found that most areas have made or are planning cuts in funding for vital dementia care services such as post diagnostic support, day care, respite services and many local community initiatives.
“Most worryingly in recent months, we are aware of several specialised dementia facilities that have been threatened with significant funding cuts or complete closure due to financial pressures, with people finding out these plans with only months, sometimes weeks, to consider alternatives.
“Many of these decisions have been made with no opportunity for those whose lives will be profoundly affected by this slash-and-burn approach to have their views heard.
“Scotland is sleepwalking into a dementia care crisis.”
Campaigners warn the cuts would place an unsustainable level of pressure on family carers, while the lack of community support for people with dementia risks speeding up the progression of their illness.
Among those affected by the proposed cuts is Tommy McLean, 75, who lives in Dumbarton with wife Carol (both pictured, below). He was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2016 and regularly attends a day service at Alzheimer Scotland’s Dementia Resource Centre in Clydebank which is now under threat.
Tommy, a retired financial services professional, said: “As my dementia has progressed, there aren’t many places where I feel comfortable anymore, but I look forward to going to the day service every week. I’ll be devastated if it closes.
“The staff there are excellent and they have been specially trained in how to support people with all different types of dementia. I’ve made good friends there and there are always activities going on to get you interested and keep you mentally stimulated.
“Being at the centre also gives my wife Carol a few hours to herself so she can get a break, which is very important for carers. It’s a real lifeline.”
Carol, 75, said she worries that carers like her will no longer be able to cope without community dementia services, and described the cuts as a “false economy”.
She said: “The Alzheimer Scotland day service in Clydebank provides absolutely crucial respite for me, and it brings huge benefits to Tommy too. If we lose this service it will be devastating.
“When I pick Tommy up from the centre, he’s like a different man. He’s so animated and can’t wait to tell me about his day. It offers stimulation to him which is so important for someone with dementia. I can also enjoy a bit of time to myself knowing that he’s being well looked after by skilled staff.
“If we lose these services, where will our loved ones find the same high quality care?
“Without services like this, a lot of carers just won’t be able to cope anymore which will only increase pressure on social services, who are already overstretched. The whole thing is a false economy because it will end up costing local authorities more money in the long run.”
Alzheimer Scotland is calling for the introduction of a national, consistent standard of care that will end the postcode lottery for good.
Henry Simmons added: “It is not right that dementia care is left to a postcode lottery and that provision can differ so much from one area to the next.
“We are calling for a guaranteed national pathway where evidence-based interventions are given to everyone with a dementia diagnosis throughout the progression of their condition – every time, everywhere throughout Scotland.
“That’s why Alzheimer Scotland has launched this petition. We have also written to all MSPs, MPs and council leaders across the country, as well as to ministers and local government body Cosla calling for urgent action.”
