Care home found for couple who faced being split up

Dorothy and Dennis Vesty's family were concerned they may have had to move to separate homes

The daughter of a couple who have been married for 68 years has said she is "relieved" they will not be separated after their care home closed.

Dennis Vesty, 95, and his wife Dorothy, 89, were living at Kathleen Rutland Home in Leicester Forest East, in Leicestershire, when they were told it was shutting down.

Their daughter, Denise Hamm, said she was going through "turmoil" while trying to find a care home that could take both of them together because of their differing care needs.

She said a "weight has lifted off my shoulders" after a care home offered to take them both in.

The pair were living at the care home, which is run by Vista - a charity for people with sight loss - when they were told it would close.

Mrs Hamm said the couple were facing the prospect of being separated after she was not able to find a new home that could care for them both.

Her mother has advanced Alzheimer's disease, while her father has no mobility in his legs after he was hurt in a fall.

The couple have been married for 68 years

After hearing about the family's story, Kingsfield Court in Earl Shilton, Leicestershire, offered to take them both in.

"It's such a relief," Mrs Hamm said.

"We're still anxious about the move and getting them to the new home.

"But it makes an unbelievable difference to know they'll be together.

"I can sleep again at night."

The couple are due to move to the new care home on Wednesday afternoon.

After the care home closures were announced, Vista's director of care and services, Steve Payne, said the decision to close the homes had been "very difficult".

“In essence, it’s for the financial sustainability of the charity, the viability of the charity as a whole, and not just the residential sector the charity runs," he said.

The charity is also closing Applegarth Home, also in Leicester Forest East.

Acacia Care, which runs Kingsfield Court, has been contacted for comment.

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