Concern over Alzheimer's services funding

There are fears people with Alzheimer's in Falkirk could be affected by planned cuts to a specialist day care service.

Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership is removing funding for vital support services, delivered by Alzheimer Scotland.

A meeting is being held today with people affected and their families, to discuss the plans, and alternative services. It's hoped the meeting will help those who are transitioning to new services across Falkirk.

Elizabeth Fearon is one of those campaigning against the move. Both of her parents currently attend groups funded by the scheme.

Speaking to Central FM News, she said:

"I'm looking after both my parents, who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. My father can go there on a Monday, and my mother goes on a Friday. The benefits they receive from this are phenomenal.

"They can be really quite down, and then they go to this club - which is only for three hours. They're laughing and smiling, and their mental health is dramatically improved."

"We've been totally blindsided. I think they've taken too long to send out the letters because that's exactly what they wanted to do - they wanted to prevent us putting up a fight to keep it open. They wanted to prevent us from looking into alternative arrangements for funding. They haven't given us time for anything."

"Where they are making their cuts - it's unforgivable to take services away from vulnerable people, the majority in the later stages of their life, who have paid into the system for years and years. There's people out there, and this is the only reprieve they get - three hours to do something for themselves, such as a doctor's appointment, that they can't do when they have their spouses with them."

A spokesperson for Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership said: “Changes are being made to the way specialist dementia support is delivered in Falkirk. We are working with Alzheimer Scotland and the 11 individuals and families who currently access the Maples service to ensure a smooth transition to suitable alternative support.

“There is sufficient capacity from other local providers to enable this, and Alzheimer Scotland will continue to provide other services, including its dementia advisor support, post diagnostic service, and the community connections service funded by the Partnership.”