Care home closure has turned lives 'upside down'

Paul Freeman has cerebral palsy and is registered blind

The family of a disabled man with complex needs said the closure of his care home at short notice had turned lives upside down.

Paul Freeman, who has cerebral palsy, has been living in a home managed by Studley-based Individual Care Services for more than 30 years.

His sister Kay Webb said the family were told three months ago that it would shut on Tuesday, which, given his needs, was not enough time to find a new home.

A spokesperson for the care home said it was working closely with local authorities to minimise the impact of the closure.

"Whilst the closure is upsetting for all concerned, this difficult decision was as a result of the increasing financial pressures on adult social care and the change in demand for residential care services," they added.

Kay Webb said the family were given only three months' notice

Ms Webb said her brother, who is registered blind, had lived at home with his parents and siblings until 32 years ago when they decided to move him into care.

"It was fantastic, it was one of the best places you could imagine, it was just like being at home," she said of the care home.

"He had a really fun-filled life. There wasn't anything that they didn't do, he'd go on holiday with them, everything.

"Took him to the football matches, took him fishing. He had a better social life than any of us did."

The care home in Warwickshire will be closing on 30 September

Ms Webb said her brother "loves life" and was a "very happy man," but needed help with everyday life.

"He likes to be involved with everything that's going on, he doesn't like to be quiet and left on his own," she added.

The family received an email about three months ago, saying the home would be closing at the end of September.

Ms Webb said she felt "very let down" and had tried to contact the company.

"It's completely turned our worlds upside down," she said.

"The support they've given us is nil and it's only thanks to the actual care staff, that Paul has remained as calm and as well over the last three months."

Ms Webb and her family have been searching for an alternative care home for Mr Freeman, who will be moving to live in another Warwickshire-based care home for the short-term, though they said it did not meet all his needs.

"My 83-year-old mum is distraught and blames herself for choosing there in the first place. I can't even explain what it's done over the last three months, because my focus has always been Paul, and I feel I've failed him," she said.

Warwickshire County Council added it could not comment on individual cases but was working with the care home team to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.