Worry over elderly relatives as care home closes

The home will close on 31 July

More than 70 elderly residents need to be relocated and care staff will lose their jobs after a care home announced it will be shutting down in two months.

Acorn Lodge in Failsworth, Greater Manchester, is due to close in July, leaving many families "worried" about their vulnerable relatives.

Oldham Property Investment, which runs the home, said the home would have to close on 21 July due to "increased financial challenges beyond our control", which had led to their decision to sell the building.

In a letter to relatives, Mathew Hughes, director of the Wolverhampton-based company, said the decision had been taken with a “heavy heart and deep regret."

'Upmost priority'

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said Mr Hughes promised to work with Oldham Council and relatives to find a new home for its 74 residents.

Many relatives, who pay around £700 a week for care, said they were "gutted" by the news.

Vivian, whose 85-year-old husband entered the care home after a nasty fall, said he would be "upset" about having to move.

She added real concern was people receiving end-of-life care or who suffer from dementia who "won’t last the move".

Vivian said: “I think some of them will just give up.”

It would also be difficult to find alternative places close to relatives’ homes, as Vivan claimed most other nearby care homes were already over-subscribed.

The council said supporting the home's staff and residents was its "upmost priority".

An agreement has been struck with Oldham Property Investment that the home will stay open until everyone finds a new home, said Oldham Council.

Relatives and residents have been invited to a meeting later to discuss the closure.