North-east pensioners have been left furious after the cost of attending their day care centres increased by nearly 600%.
Some of the 23 people who attend the Garlogie Day Centre are considering quitting after the cost rose from £6.60 a day to more than £30.
The Aberdeenshire Council-run service had been “heavily capped” until changes were introduced by the local authority last month.
However, those attending the popular gatherings at the Garlogie Hall – which have been running successfully for more than 20 years – were shocked to find their most recent monthly bill topping £200.
A bus service operates to the centre, which is open on Wednesdays and Fridays and offers senior citizens conversation, food, exercise and games.
Prior to the changes, the bus service and entry fee was offered at £6.60 per day, but now the bus is £7 return and entry is £29.36 for one visit.
Westhill man, Ken Campbell – who has used the day centre for years – expressed concerns about the well-being of his companions without the service.
The 69-year-old said: “These new rates have come in since April. We are all senior citizens, pensioners, and there are a lot of people on retirement pensions – I am afraid that it [the price] is a bit much for some people.
“I think there are a few people [talking] about not going [back]. It is getting people out the house. You have got a lot of people who are very isolated and who live on their own.
“I, for one, am probably better employing someone to come in for a cuppa four or five hours a day, a couple of days a week rather than paying £70 per week.”
The council made the decision to remove the cap on non-residential care services starting in April, prior to which it had been “heavily subsidised” regardless of a user’s financial situation.
Last night, Adam Coldwells, chief officer of the Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said the changes meant: “if a person had the means” they could pay the full cost of day car services themselves.
Financial assessments can be offered to those who cannot afford the full cost.
He added: “We recognise the value and potential of our traditional day care, but we cannot meet the demands of future generations of frail older people and those with dementia with our existing model.
“The emphasis for the future will focus on enablement to those most at risk of requiring long-term care and to those with significant need.
“For those who require day service for social activity, we are keen to offer support for this to take place with less formal arrangements in place within the local community.”