'Our mum is 104 - how could she cope with care home closure?'

A family sitting in a row in front of birthday balloons in the shape of the numbers 104. In the centre is a woman with a breathing apparatus - her family smiles at the camera.Image source, Family of Margaret Ogden
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George Ogden (left) and sister Lesley Rankin (back right) say it would be extremely difficult to rehome their mother Margaret (front centre)

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Families who want to save a charity-run care home from closure in Edinburgh say they are worried some elderly residents would not survive the strain of being forced to move.

Eagle Lodge on Edinburgh's Ferry Road is one of two homes in the capital affected by the Salvation Army's decision to withdraw from providing residential care services in favour of community-based support.

A consultation on the potential closure of Eagle Lodge and Davidson House in Colinton is due to finish next month.

The Salvation Army says no final decision has been made and insists the care homes will not close until a suitable alternative is found for all the residents.

A glass-fronted single-storey building in a flowered garden with apartments to the side of itImage source, Google
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A final decision on the future of Eagle Lodge is due at the end of September

At 104, George Ogden and Lesley Rankin's mother Margaret is Eagle Lodge's oldest resident.

Her family say she was fit and active when she moved in 14 years ago, but has since become frailer and has developed dementia.

They are full of praise for the care she receives from staff and say their mother has "a better social life than most of us".

"We can go to sleep at night and not have to worry about who's looking after my mother," says George.

"You know she is going to be looked after - fed, watered and entertained. We can't get be there 24/7, but we know we can trust the staff of Eagle Lodge."

A middle-aged woman with short brown hair and wearing a black leather jacket is standing next to a man with receding grey hair who is wearing a blue and white checked shirt
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Lesley Rankin and George Ogden say they have complete trust in the current Eagle Lodge staff

Margaret's relatives are among the group of families who say they were shocked to be told of the Salvation Army's decision, which came "out the blue".

They say the explanation given in an online meeting with senior managers in July was that the charity couldn't continue using donations to cover financial losses being suffered by its care homes.

Confirming the news publicly, the Salvation Army said it was exploring transferring six of its 11 residential homes around the UK to alternative providers.

A consultation on the possible closure of the other five - which include Eagle Lodge and Davidson House - is nearing completion with a final decision due at the end of September.

"There will be some people that will struggle to actually move and may not survive a move," says Lesley.

"My mum's pretty tough, even at 104, but she is vulnerable. I think it's going to be really, really difficult to rehome her, not because she's a difficult case for care necessarily but just because of her health and well-being."

An older man with grey hair and beard, wearing a grey jumper over a green t-shirt next to a younger woman with brown hair and wearing a blue top with white lace collar. The are in front of trees in a garden
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Peta Harris says the closure threat is very unsettling for Eagle Lodge residents like her father Paul

The group of families campaigning against closure say another big worry is finding an available alternative.

Peta Harris says her dad Paul has received "wonderful" care since moving into Eagle Lodge last year while suffering from dementia.

Since news of the possible closure emerged, she has spent time contacting other care homes in Edinburgh.

"It's horrible," she says. "Very unsettling for us all.

"You look online, you phone and the first question is - do you have vacancies? The vast majority of the time the answer is, no. It's very demoralising."

What support will be offered to residents?

Peta says her preference would be for Eagle Lodge to be taken over and stay open.

While it is understood there has been some interest, the families believe the Salvation Army should be doing more to explore options with other care providers.

A spokesperson for the charity said: "No decision has been made about Eagle Lodge or any of our residential care homes.

"A consultation is currently under way and will conclude in late September. Should we reach the point of closure, this will only take place once every resident has been supported to move to a suitable new home."

They added: "We would work with families and the local authority to ensure there is a smooth transition - and extra pastoral support would be offered to residents who take up a place at an alternative home."

While awaiting the final decision, the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership says it has been in contact with the Salvation Army with a view to ensuring the formal closure process is followed.

This would involve a notice period of at least 13 weeks.

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