Residents move as Paignton care home closes

THIRTEEN residents have had to be found new accommodation after the sudden closure of a Paignton care home.

Jean Park's mother, Margaret Wolstenholm, was one of the residents caught in the closure of Manor Cottage residential home in Manor Crescent where she had been for six years.

Mrs Park, postmistress at Marldon Hill, was told on New Year's Eve she had four days to find somewhere else for her frail 94-year-old mother to go to because the home was closing due to the illness of its owner.

Mrs Park has praised social services and the Torbay and Southern Devon Health and Care NHS Trust for the help they provided in finding Margaret new accommodation.

Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk

myprint-247

View details

Print voucher

Our heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.

Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk

Contact: 01858 468192

Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013

She said: "We were told the owner was very ill and couldn't manage the place any more.

"We were only told on New Year's Eve at 4pm that the home would close four days later.

"My mother is in the final stages of Alzheimer's. I am worried that such a move could be detrimental to her health."

Margaret has moved to the town's Harbour Rise care home.

Mrs Park said: "The people at Harbour Rise and social services were wonderful. They opened their doors to us on New Year's Day and were very welcoming and friendly. I don't know many businesses who would do that."

Torbay and Southern Devon Health and Care NHS Trust said they had to step in at a short notice to provide new homes for the residents at Manor Cottage when the owner fell ill.

The family-run home, which looks after people with dementia or requiring palliative care, was also hit by the news that its manager had found employment elsewhere.

Alison Newell, one of the trust managers in charge of the transition period, confirmed the owner's illness. She added: "He is very ill and his manager is leaving. He finds it too difficult to continue.."

No-one from the home was available for comment.