Elderly shocked by sudden changes to accomodation

Residents at Leslie Southern Court were invited to a meeting just hours before it took place on November 14, to inform them of the changes.
They were told by Sovereign representatives that their accommodation was being re-categorised to ‘general needs’, meaning that emergency pull cords would be removed and that the community lounge would be closing.
Resident Peter Sollory said: “I’m not happy as I came from a two-bedroom flat because this was sheltered housing and now that’s completely gone for all of us.
“There was no consultation at all. It was totally out of the blue and was quite a shock, and they haven’t given a reason as to why they’re doing it.
“The communal lounge is also going and for some residents it’s the only chance they get to meet one another. I think some of them might stay in their flats rather than go out.”
The support service to residents is commissioned and paid for by West Berkshire Council and a spokesman for Sovereign, Roy Probert, said that there had been a significant reduction in funding over the past decade.
He added that as a result of a review of the suitability of its sheltered housing schemes, Sovereign had re-categorised some of its current schemes to general needs and that a Housing Plus scheme, an ‘intensive management service’ funded entirely by Sovereign, had been launched in October.
While Mr Probert would not be drawn on the lack of notification about the community room closure, he said that residents had been notified about the changes to Sovereign’s Supporting People programme in March last year.
Mr Probert added that Sovereign would be keeping the lounge open for the next few weeks and that arrangements for the long-term future of the facilities would be discussed with residents.
Speaking about the removal of alarms, Mr Probert said that because so few people used the hard-wired systems, Sovereign would have had to share the cost of maintaining them with residents. He added that all residents currently using the service would now receive a stand-alone alarm which would be connected to Careline.
Mr Probert added: “We fully acknowledge these changes cause a great deal of uncertainty and concern to our residents.
“We will continue to meet and talk with residents to allay any fears and concerns they have, including exploring support to move, if residents wish, to stay in older people’s accommodation.”
Loretta Jones, whose parents live in the flats, called the move appalling.
She said: “For those residents like my mum whose health is not as it was, meeting for a cuppa and a chat with a change of scenery twice a week is a welcome relief, especially with winter approaching.
“To suggest that they may want to transfer to a Housing Plus scheme at 89-years of age is absolutely ludicrous.
“I’m appalled at the treatment of these residents and the way this change has been thrust upon them. We should be ashamed of how we treat elderly people in this country.”