Help form vision for elderly care in Callander
A CALLANDER thinktank is urging people to put forward their opinions and ideas on groundbreaking proposals for elderly care in the area.
Three care homes in Callander – Ashlea House, Pinewood Lodge and Mountview House – have been in administration since early this year.
However, a group of locals who came together to see how they could support residents of the homes, are keen to seek more consultation with the community and other interested parties.
The Callander Community Care Trust steering group is considering the possibilities of developing a long term alternative to be run and “owned” by the community, rather than by private enterprise.
These could involve anything from a single care home to a Callander Retirement Centre.
An initial suggestion of raising funds to lease the current properties, was rejected by the administrator’s agents as being too close to the closing date for sale.
The steering group felt there should also be the opportunity to consider a new build project which could incorporate varied levels of sheltered housing and care, in partnership with bodies such as Rural Stirling Housing Association, and with the support of Stirling Council’s social services and NHS Forth Valley.
Representatives have also met with local politicians and sought advice from relevant bodies and individuals, and given early consideration to potential local sites.
Relevant meetings have been held with the homes and residents and relatives are being kept informed.
The group says its priority is to help provide long term security for current residents, but that there is further potential to create community-led care within the Callander area.
Talks have also taken place with the charitable trust behind the Falls of Dochart Residential Home, which has been run successfully by the community for the past decade, as part of the information gathering exercise.
However, advisors in elderly care have already told the steering group that the Callander effort could results in a groundbreaking project which has the potential to be mapped out across Scotland.
Succeed
A spokesperson for the steering group said: “For such a project to succeed, however, it will need the full support of the Callander community and we need to hear their views.
“We want to know, for example, if people want a care development and if so in what form, and also whether they have the initiative and energy to help take this forward.”
Anyone who would like to comment or volunteer any help can send their comments to: PO Box 6, Callander, FK17 8ZU by November 30.
