As many as 900 people with learning disabilities are inappropriately placed in care homes for the elderly in an effort to save local councils' money, say campaigners.

At least 869 people have been identified as being placed in such homes, research by the Learning Disability Alliance Scotland (LDAS) has revealed, but they say the true figure could be more than 1158 people.

The figures form part of a report entitled Stuck! which is due to be published today. The statistics are based on estimates from Government statisticians using the Scottish Care Home Census and have been backed up by requests using the Freedom of Information Act, in addition to a survey of 220 elderly care homes which are registered with the Care Commission.

According to the report, the majority of people are delaying going into care homes until they are in their eighties or nineties. However, people with learning disabilities aged 65 years old are routinely being placed into care homes for the elderly. What's more, LDAS claim that at least 300 cases have been identified where people under 65 are being placed in care homes for the elderly, with the age gap causing significant problems.

As reported by Herald Scotland, when a person with a learning disability aged 65 or older is placed in a care home for the elderly, the lack of specific support from those in specialised social care jobs means the placement is still inappropriate.

Ian Hood LDAS co-coordinator said there are a range of problems which include a lack of shared interests, name calling, bullying and those with learning disabilities failing to get the help needed to communicate.

"Increasingly, local authorities see this a cost-cutting measure. Many of these people are facing a system of benign neglect they are relatively powerless to do anything about and once placed, few ever leave."

Marcia Ramsay director of adult services at the Care Commission added: "On occasion, we have found situations where needs are not being met or people have not been placed appropriately and we have and will continue to take appropriate action."