A charity which supports elderly people in Bath has spoken of fears over possible future public sector cuts.
Age UK helps more than 12,000 pensioners in Bath and north east Somerset and is seeing an increase in service demands as people live longer.
While representatives from the charity are pleased that the local authority is not cutting the budget for older people in 2013/14, they fear the impact of any future cuts.
Chief executive Janet Dabbs said: "The services Age UK B&NES delivers, with a small team of staff and around 150 volunteers, make a huge difference to people's lives, reducing loneliness and helping older people stay healthy.
"Delivering these services costs around £500,000 every year – this comes from Bath and North East Somerset Council and the NHS, and from charitable donations, from trust funds, from local individuals and businesses.
"However we would like to point out that Age UK B&NES has not had an increase in funding for over three years – yet the need for our services is increasing year on year."
Age UK services include help settling people back into their homes after hospital stays, practical support to make sure people stay in their own homes as long as possible, befriending to combat loneliness, and toenail cutting.
It also runs activities, day centres and lunches.
A B&NES Council spokesman said the authority had earmarked an extra £3.251 million to cope with the growing number of over 85s during the next three years.
He said: "The number of vulnerable adults will grow significantly over the next few decades.
"As a result, local authorities nationwide are adjusting how they spend their budgets to ensure that the people in most need are supported to live full, active lives and support older people to live independently."
For more information about Age UK call 01225 466135.
