Upset as popular Eastbourne dementia service has to close due to coronavirus

Jane Lowe at Ivy House, a day centre in Eastbourne providing care and support for people diagnosed with dementia, put in emergency restrictions for access and a 2:1 ratio as a lifeline for clients and families living with dementia in the community.

But Jane said the decision by the adult social care at East Sussex County Council telling her to close is having a devastating effect.

Jane said, “Ivy House should be used as a bolt hole. Keeping someone with dementia caged in four walls is not an option for some people and the outcome of this is severe and will cause violence, conflict, suicide and family breakdowns. I cannot stress how important this is – dementia isolation is now over riding COVID-19.

“We are much more than a day centre. We are a hub for our community and right now they need us more than ever. The bolt hole will provide a safe and secure place for my clients to come in an orderly way giving their carers a break. Myself and my team are fit and well, temperatures are taken daily, deep cleans are twice daily.

“The number of clients needing our service can easily be managed at the house and precautions and restrictions are already in place. We are already putting in place home visits for some families but for others it is impossible to restrain loved ones with dementia from banging doors down and getting out. I am trying to protect our emergency services like the police and the NHS.”

Jane said she contacted East Sussex County Council last week and referred officers to the easement of the Care Act which gives local authorities the power to allow the Ivy House service to continue.

She says she was told by an Eastbourne councillor that the secretary of a prominent county council boss said although they did have the powers to allow the service to continue, they were choosing not to implement them.

Jane also said the staff in the adult social care department have refused her plea and described them as defensive, obstructive, manipulative and cold as well as unwilling to help.

A spokesperson at East Sussex County Council said, “We have advised Ivy House of the importance of following Public Health England guidance to ensure the safety and wellbeing of people that attend Ivy House by closing their service to a vulnerable group who should be self-isolating.”

Jane is now hoping politicians will put pressure on the county council.

Eastbourne councillor Helen Burton said, “I know how important the Ivy House service is to families affected by dementia and I’m really disappointed that the county council isn’t working with Ivy House to enable their work to continue during the current health crisis.”

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