The daughter of a disabled woman has said it is cruel her mother is being "forced to retire" from the day centre she attends in Downpatrick because of her age. Maureen Wyatt, 66, has attended the centre for adults with complex disabilities since 2009 after she suffered a brain injury following a cardiac arrest. Ciara Burns said she had been told her mother had to leave Ardarragh Day Centre because it was only commissioned to provide support for adults aged 18-65. The South Eastern Health Trust said a "suitable" alternative placement had been accepted by Mrs Wyatt and her family after staff worked "very closely" to support her transition to an alternative service. Ms Burns said she did not understand why her mother had to "retire" from the centre and was concerned the move to a new centre could have a negative impact on her. She said her mother got "amazing interaction from the day centre" and had a great group of friends. "The staff are phenomenal," she said. "I really, truly wouldn't want her to go anywhere else. "She goes shopping, she plays bingo, she takes part in all sorts of table-top activities. "They have different outings several times a year. "I think it's very cruel that mummy has this service to fall back on, every day for 16 years, and then all of a sudden it's just not there anymore." Ms Burns said she and her mother had "reluctantly" accepted a placement at an alternative elderly day care centre in Newcastle, but would prefer that she continues to attend Ardarragh. "The fact that the quality of care would just continue where it's at would definitely put my mind at ease, and the continuity would suit mummy better," she said. "With the nature of her brain injury, I don't know what way a big change like that would affect her." Ms Burns said she had been told her mother will not have to leave Ardarragh Day Centre imminently, but it will definitely be later in 2025. She said a referral had been made for her mother to move to an alternative day centre in Newcastle and the family was waiting to hear how many days she would be able to attend. A disability charity told BBC News NI it was aware of hundreds of disabled people like Mrs Wyatt who have had to transition from Disability Services to Older People's Services within a health trust when they reached 65. Nuala Toman, from Disability Action, said that usually means transitioning from receiving support specifically designed for disabled people, to accessing services catered towards the needs of older people. "Often, the disabled person has spent many years of their lives accessing a day centre, and they have friends, they have relationships, they have activities that they enjoy, and that for them is their world, and it's also the world of their family," she said. Ms Toman said it was an under-researched area, but the transition could be "very disruptive" and could sometimes lead to a decline in mental health and well-being. She also questioned why someone should have to transition from a "service that is working for them". "Older people services are designed for older people, they're not designed for disabled people." She said the charity is calling for a "system re-think" and said disability services should be provided for life. In 2022, South Down assembly member Colin McGrath wrote to the then Health Minister Robin Swann about Mrs Wyatt's case. The South Eastern Trust subsequently agreed to allow Mrs Wyatt to attend the day centre for another year, beyond her 65th birthday, however this arrangement will soon end. A spokesperson for the South Eastern Trust said it understood the situation was very upsetting for Mrs Wyatt and her family, as well as others in similar situations. The trust said if the centre did not have an upper age limit it would lead to significant delays for younger people waiting to access it. "Over the past year, our staff have worked very closely with Mrs Wyatt and her family to support her transition to an alternative service that will continue to meet her assessed needs," the spokesperson said. "The trust is pleased that the suitable placement, which had been identified and offered several months ago, had now been accepted by Mrs Wyatt and her family." A spokesperson for the Department of Health said it recognised the potential for anxiety and disruption when someone was asked to transition from one support setting to another. "Therefore, all transitions of care need to be well managed through advanced planning and early communication with the service user and, if appropriate, family carers involved in the decision-making as part of the care transition process," they said.
'My disabled mum is being forced to retire from her day centre'
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Disabled Woman Faces Transition from Day Centre Due to Age Restrictions"
Bbc News
6.6
TruthLens AI Summary
Ciara Burns has expressed deep concern over the impending forced retirement of her mother, Maureen Wyatt, from the Ardarragh Day Centre in Downpatrick, which supports adults with complex disabilities. Maureen, who is 66 years old and has been attending the centre since 2009 following a brain injury from a cardiac arrest, faces this transition due to age-related restrictions. The South Eastern Health Trust has stated that the centre is only commissioned to provide services for adults aged 18 to 65. Although the Trust claims that a suitable alternative placement has been arranged for Mrs. Wyatt, Ciara is worried about the potential negative impact this move could have on her mother's well-being. She values the interactions and friendships her mother has developed over the years at Ardarragh, emphasizing the importance of continuity in care, especially given the nature of her mother's brain injury. Maureen's activities include shopping, bingo, and various outings, which have contributed positively to her quality of life.
Despite being told that Mrs. Wyatt will not have to leave immediately, the family has been informed that the transition is expected to occur later in 2025. They have reluctantly accepted a placement at an elderly day care centre in Newcastle but remain apprehensive about the change. Disability advocates, such as Nuala Toman from Disability Action, highlight that many disabled individuals face similar transitions when they reach 65, often leading them to lose the specialized support they have relied on for years. Toman emphasizes that older people's services are not tailored to the needs of disabled individuals, which can result in significant disruptions to their lives and mental health. The South Eastern Trust acknowledged the distress caused by these transitions but pointed out that maintaining an upper age limit allows for younger individuals to access services. The Department of Health also recognized the anxiety these transitions can create and stressed the importance of effective communication and planning to support service users and their families during such changes.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article reflects the emotional struggle of a daughter advocating for her disabled mother, who is being transitioned out of a day center due to age restrictions. This situation raises questions about the treatment and rights of disabled individuals, particularly the elderly.
Intent of the Article
The primary intent appears to be to highlight the perceived injustice faced by individuals with disabilities and their families when support services are altered or removed. By framing the story around a personal narrative, the article aims to evoke empathy and raise awareness about the challenges faced by disabled individuals as they age.
Public Sentiment
This coverage may foster a sense of solidarity among readers who empathize with the plight of disabled individuals and their families. It underscores the emotional bonds between caregivers and those they care for, potentially igniting public discourse on the adequacy of support services for older disabled people.
Omissions and Hidden Agendas
While the article focuses on the emotional and practical implications of the mother's forced transition, it may overlook broader systemic issues, such as funding constraints or policy decisions that lead to such age limits in care services. This could suggest a desire to keep the discussion focused on individual stories rather than delving into complex systemic failures.
Manipulative Aspects
The article employs emotional language, emphasizing the daughter’s distress and the mother's long-term engagement with her day center. This approach could be seen as manipulative, as it may lead readers to prioritize emotional responses over critical examination of the policies in place.
Accuracy of Information
The news appears to be factual, presenting specific details about the mother's situation, the day center's policies, and the response from the South Eastern Health Trust. However, the framing may influence how the information is perceived, leaning towards a more emotional interpretation.
Societal Perception
The article seems to target communities that are particularly invested in disability rights and healthcare reform. By doing so, it may resonate more with families facing similar challenges, thus fostering a supportive community dialogue.
Impact on Economy and Politics
While the article may not directly affect the economy or stock markets, it could influence public opinion regarding funding for healthcare and social services, potentially leading to political advocacy for better policies supporting disabled individuals.
Global Context
There is no direct link to broader global power dynamics, but the themes of care for the disabled resonate with ongoing discussions about elder care and disability rights worldwide. The issue is relevant in many societies grappling with healthcare reform.
Use of AI in Writing
There is no clear indication that AI was used in the writing of this article, though the organization and clarity of the narrative suggest professional journalistic standards. If AI had been involved, it might have influenced the tone to be more persuasive, focusing on emotional appeals. In conclusion, while the article effectively raises awareness about a significant issue affecting disabled individuals, it may also simplify complex systemic challenges, potentially steering the conversation in a specific emotional direction. The overall reliability of the information is solid, but its presentation could lead to emotional manipulation of the audience.