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est 1885 tel: 01507 526868 Wednesday, March 23, 2011

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fears over CounCil plans to Cut Care

by alison sandilands
alison.sandilands@jpress.co.uk

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THOUSANDS of elderly, ill and disabled people who receive care and support from Lincolnshire County Council may not be eligible under new plans.

LCC currently provides for people with moderate, substantial and critical levels of need. But under proposals being considered by the councils executive board on July 5, 3,300 people with moderate/low level needs, who currently receive support, no longer qualify for help. According to the councils website, moderate needs translates as somebody who has the inability to carry out several personal care tasks or domestic routines; is unable to involve themselves in numerous aspects of work, education, or learning and social support systems and cannot sustain relationships. Age UK Lindsey in Horncastle is concerned about the detrimental affect these plans could have on elderly people. The charitys chief officer, Philippa Haresign, said their office in Manor House Street is already receiving more referrals from a variety of agencies on behalf of elderly people who need support and are unable to get it. She said: It is a worrying time. Increasingly older people are going to

WIth resources stretched to the limit at age UK lindseys horncastle hQ in Manor house street (pictured), the charity has decided to open a new advice access centre in horse Fair Walk, horncastle. this is due to be launched tomorrow (thursday) and will be open from 9.30am to 2.30pm. chief officer Philippa haresign said: We would like to encourage older people, carers and family support members to call in and see our advisors who will do all they can to help. age UK lindseys new centre can be contacted on 01507 525892.

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have to fund the support they require from their own pockets and we will do all we can to ensure that all older people in our area are receiving all the income to which they are entitled in order for them to be able to buy in the support they need. But executive councillor for adult social services at LCC, Graham Marsh, said no decisions have been made yet. He said: We want to hear peoples views - from those who use the services, their families and carers, but also the wider public in general. Its important we get a full and comprehensive consultation before

we make any decisions on changes to the service. Some people currently recorded as moderate or low may be reassessed as substantial or critical, and those no longer eligible for help will be given information to find alternative support/benefits. John Goodyear, 68, of Hansard Drive, Wragby, is concerned he will no longer be eligible to attend the Homeleigh Care Centre in Foundry Street, Horncastle. He has visited the centre for more than a decade, helping him regain independence and confidence following an accident at a saw mill, and after

losing his wife. Mr Goodyear said: I feel like I would be losing an arm if I couldnt go along to the centre twice a week. It gets me out of the house. If you would like to give your views on LCCs proposals, there are public consultation meetings taking place from 6pm-8pm on: l Wednesday, March 23 North Shore Hotel, Skegness l Thursday, March 24 Springfield House, Grantham l Tuesday, March 29 Bishop Grosseteste College, Lincoln l Thursday, April 7 South Holland Centre, Spalding.

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