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OAP Care Crisis: Evicted
By Norman Silvester, Sunday Mail
Scotland
August 13, 2005
More than 1200 vulnerable pensioners have been evicted from Scottish nursing homes, with another 700 set to follow because of a care crisis.
The Sunday Mail can reveal more than 20 homes are for sale across the country - and another 35 owners have already pulled the plug.
Elderly groups yesterday warned pensioners thrown out of their existing homes could die from the trauma of being dumped.
Many are already seriously ill, suffer distressing conditions such as Alzheimer's and dementia and have no family.
The closure crisis is also creating bed blocking in hospitals because there is nowhere else for the pensioners to go.
There are an additional 1400 elderly patients in Scottish hospital wards who should be in homes. Owners claim nursing homes are no longer profitable and they are getting out while they can. They say homes are closing at the rate of one per week.
Many have been forced to sell up by bank managers or face bankruptcy.
Jess Barrow, of Age Concern, said yesterday: 'Moving home is the most traumatic thing that can happen in any person's life.
'Imagine how more traumatic it is for a man or woman in their 90s who is frail and in ill health.
'There is clear evidence that elderly residents or patients can die earlier than they would have done because of the closure of their home.
'More money needs to be made available from the Scottish Executive to make sure that the elderly can continue to live where they are happiest.'
Property agents Christie and Co are auctioning 20 homes for sale in Inverness, Skye, Arran, Argyll, Glasgow, Coatbridge, Hamilton, Helensburgh and the Borders.
The properties are priced from £350,000 to £1.8million - and the auction house have never had so many on their books at one time.
Angry owners say new costs forced on them by the Care Commission, a lack of funding from the Scottish Executive and compulsory improvements in safety standards are forcing them to the wall.
The Care Commission charges homes £165 for each resident - an increase of 32 per cent on last year.
An average home pays the Commission around £6000 a year in fees.
Homes are also having to pay water rates for the first time, which means average bills of £25,000 a year.
Joe Campbell, of Scottish Care, who represent 90 per cent of owners, said: 'An average home is getting £363 for a resident but the cost of keeping that person is £478 a week.
'There is a gap of £100 per person a week, which is why homes are going out of business.
'The cost of care has grown out of proportion to the funds we have received from councils. For small private home owners, it is no longer profitable to stay open. Much better to get out while the going is good.
'What we predicted two years ago is happening now.
'Old people are being uprooted from their folks, their friends, their surroundings. For many people, the home they currently live in is the only family they have left. The overall effect could be fatal.'
Ian Glasgow, who owns the Langside Nursing Home in Shawlands, Glasgow, put it up for sale last week at offers over £950,000.
He said: 'I have had some interest so far but not much as there are so many other homes on the market.
'It is very difficult to make a living at present. We have so many extra costs at the moment and our income barely matches our outgoings.'
Owner Deepak Podder is looking for £1.8million for the Nithsdale Lodge in Pollokshields, Glasgow
He said: 'Things are tough just now for owners, particularly those with only one home.
'We are just not getting the proper funding we need to make a living but also provide a good service.'
An Executive spokesman said they did not wish to see good quality care homes close, but added: 'It will always be the case that homes will close or change hands for commercial reasons.
'Care homes in Scotland will receive an additional £94.5million over the next two years. This will enable local authorities to pay fees at a higher level than that recommended by an independent report commissioned by COSLA and Scottish Care.
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