Distraught Pensioners Kicked Out Of Care Home
Frail pensioners were booted out of their care home – with just six hours notice. Frantic families were forced to find their loved-ones new accommodation after receiving a telephone call saying it was too close.
Relatives of the 15 women, some suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, were told to collect the OAPs’ possessions. Residents and staff were in floods of tears and needed to be comforted as they left.
The shock closure has stunned staff as planning permission had recently been given to convert the building into a 36-bedroom care home with nursing.
A member of staff said: “We were under the impression these new buildings were for our residents. All the families rallied together thinking it was the best thing for their relatives. I have seen people crying and think it’s disgraceful. The residents know all the staff and look on us as their family. We are absolutely devastated.”
Relatives say they were first notified that privately-run Astley House Care Home, in Darwen, Lancs., was to shut after receiving a phone call of Blackburn with Darwen Council social services telling them the women had just hours to pack up.
The Commission for Social Care, the regulatory body for care homes, said Brightcrest Ltd provided care for people with mental disorder aged over 65, which was first registered in 1988.
Colin Elsworth, 55, whose mum, Alice, 84, lived at the home, said: “There’s some very poorly people up there. We are absolutely devastated and so are the staff. They are all crying – it’s just awful.”
June Brocklebank, daughter-in-law of resident Jenny Brocklebank, 79, said: “She’s only been there for three months but she’s really settled and happy. We chose this home because it was more a homely atmosphere. She had been living at home with us until then.”
James Harwood, 64, said after hearing the news he had to quickly find his mother-in-law, Emily Cotton, 86, a new home. “We’ve had just a few hours notice. The staff didn’t know any earlier than we did. Fortunately I’ve found my mother-in-law a new place to live.”
Families were notified of the closure on Tuesday afternoon at 2pm and told their relatives had to be out by 8pm.
Lorraine Murray, 43, rushed to the home to help mother-in-law Nellie Murray, 80, pack her bags. She said: “My mother-in-law and her friend used to sing together and walk around together but are now being split up.”
Brightcrest Ltd’s marketing consultant, John Waters, said: “The company has gone into liquidation and that’s why they are being moved. “We were told at 10am this morning and 15 jobs have been lost.”
Coun David Foster, the executive member for audit services, said: “We have got sympathy for the staff and more so for the residents and their friends. That was their home. They are going to have to move out. Our staff have been doing their best to find them appropriate places.”