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Camden News - by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS
Published: 06 November 2008

Diana Francis

‘Crippling’ bill for pensioner’s baths

Campaigners fight charges faced by elderly and disabled as woman is charged £500 for care

A PENSIONER just two months away from her 90th birthday was sent a bill of around £500 for a weekly bath, under new council homecare charges dubbed the “cripple tax” by campaigners.
The woman, who is unable to bathe herself, had two baths a week until she was hit by the unexpected fees in September. She was shocked to discover she had been charged £26.70 for each two-hour care session.
The woman, who is blind and has difficulty walking, has subsequently cancelled the second wash and is now given a bath just once a week. The charges were introduced in Camden in October last year.
She moved into sheltered accommodation after her husband died two years ago. She revealed her plight during a meeting organised by the pressure group Campaign Against Care Charges (CACC) that is fighting the means testing of care charges for pensioners and the disabled.
Diana Francis, who suffers from the muscle disease fibromyalgia, was also at the meeting in Kentish Town on Friday. She won her own fight against the charges when the council backed down over a £250 fee.
“On several occasions I got so frustrated my pain level shot up so high,” said Ms Francis. “If I wasn’t a very strong-willed person I probably wouldn’t be here talking to you.”
Eileen Mewes, 83, from Belsize Park, warned that the constant changing of carers – the result of a move towards agency staff – left many confused and could even be dangerous. She said: “Carers who know you know if something is wrong and they ring alarm bells for you.”
Campaigners have described the women as victims of the new charging system which has forced disabled and elderly people to pay for help with basic human functions.
CACC are calling on those who have already had their needs and finances assessed to appeal and are urging people to boycott the payments altogether.
CACC member Joy Palmer said: “Why should there be a ‘cripple tax’? I think it’s appalling that an 89-year-old woman is charged for having a bath.”
Conservative social services chief councillor Martin Davies said yesterday (Wednesday): “We are in line with government guidelines.
“Although not all councils charge, our charges are in line or below the average. I think if people have the means to pay then it’s better that they do. I’m not sure the UK can afford social care to be free.”

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