Mental health concerns for older people as day care services stopped from opening

Around 40 older people were this week due to resume attending day care activities across the region, including at Saint Cecilia's, but North Yorkshire County Council advised providers on Friday afternoon that they could no longer sign off on any day services resuming, despite infection control measures being put in place, until further announcements were made from the Government.

On Monday, the Government's new ‘rule of six’ law came into effect, making it illegal for social gatherings of more than six people.

North Yorkshire County Council told providers the postponement of reopening was due to an increase in infection rates in some areas of the county, and that the authority was awaiting updated guidance from the Government on the social gathering restrictions.

Managing director of Saint Cecilia’s, Mike Padgham, told the Yorkshire Post that although he fully supported the decision, his concerns were for the mental health of those who attend day care.

“We have to strike a balance between people’s mental health and the need for tightened restrictions,” he said. “We had to tell people late on Friday that they would not be able to come this week.

“People are desperate to get back to their activities - some haven’t been able to take part for six months.”

Day care services can include therapeutic activities and help older people to remain active and independent while also providing respite for carers.

Mr Padgham said the council had been supportive throughout the period, including by continuing to make payments for sessions that we have been unable to run.

North Yorkshire County Council’s director of health and adult services, Richard Webb, said: “We understand the value placed on day services and the impact this situation is having on those people who would usually attend a service and, also, on their families. We have been working with provider colleagues for a number of weeks on plans to re-open day services as soon as it is safe to do so.

“However, we are seeing an increase in Covid-19 infection rates in some areas of North Yorkshire and we are also keen to understand the implications of the Government announcement on restrictions on social gatherings from today, so we are reviewing this guidance alongside the infection rates and will be in a position to update our provider colleagues and the public on the situation later this week. “

He said the council had continued to fund services during their closure period ”to enable providers to retain their valuable teams and to deploy these teams to continue meeting people’s needs, whilst adhering to Government guidance”.

It had also encouraged providers to be as flexible as possible and to develop new ways of operating their service to ensure that people remain safe, and in circumstances where individuals were struggling, “have stepped up additional interim support”.