The council-run Applethwaite Green Care Home in Windermere is at risk of closure.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed in April that Westmorland and Furness Council was considering closing the home, alongside Grisedale Croft in Alston, due to its building being ‘functionally obsolete’.
The council later apologised for the way the information was revealed, with staff, residents and families feeling ‘blindsided’.
Now they have said they are happy with the home, with the majority feeling residents should be kept there.
They, alongside locals, parish councils, healthcare stakeholders and district councillors, gave their thoughts in a consultation on its future, which ran from May to August.
The options given were to: do nothing; refurbish; demolish and rebuild; or close the home altogether.
Now, a month on from the consultation ending, the council has released its findings, with refurbishment being the most popular option.
The report’s author said the ‘most consistent’ concern was the impact of any future decision on residents.
The report reads: “Respondents highlighted continuity of care, familiarity, emotional wellbeing and the risks associated with relocation, particularly for residents living with dementia, frailty or anxiety.”
Local access to residential care, proximity to family and friends and the quality of care being more important than modern building standards were also seen as key concerns.
Of the 254 responses received, 164 people said they would like to see refurbishment, 66 per cent of respondents, with a further six per cent voicing favour for ‘option 1.5’.
The latter option emerged as the ‘main alternative’, advocating for a ‘more modest’ refurbishment programme, retaining local provision whilst minimising disruption to residents.
A ‘functionally obsolete’ care home could be shut (Image: Google Maps)
The author wrote: “Whilst only 15 respondents indicated support for “Option 1.5”, support for its underlying principles appeared substantially more widespread and was evident across many responses favouring refurbishment.”
The next most popular option was to do nothing, which got 41 responses, 16 per cent of respondents.
‘Leave my home alone please’
Quotes from the various consultees were included in the report, including one resident of Applethwaite Green who said the above.
Another said: “I live at Applethwaite Green, this is my home. I have found a new family. I do not want to live anywhere else.
“I am looked after very well and most importantly I am very happy here. It would be very distressing and extremely upsetting to lose my home. Something that should never happen to anyone.”
One resident added: “I am quite happy living here. The staff are very caring. I am not bothered about having an ensuite bathroom and my room is large enough for my needs.”
She added she did not want to move to Kendal, Milnthorpe or Grange, which have been suggested as alternative provision.
One relative said their mum, a resident, is 94 and settled, where the family are ‘very happy’ with the standard of care, room size and the number of bathrooms.
A staff member added residents would ‘not be strong enough’ to move out and ‘may not last long’ in a new place.
Concerns were also raised about a ‘perceived pre-determination’, as the report author put it.
One family member said the ‘preferred view’ was for closure, adding: “The whole consultation paper is biased on the side of closure, the wording and the way it has been done is misleading.”
The results of the consultation will be discussed at the health and adults scrutiny committee next Wednesday, September 23, before a final decision is made at a later stage.
Supporters of saving the home have organised a free coach from Windermere to Kendal town hall to attend the meeting.
Those who want to book on should contact Andy Brinkman on 07931 945388 or at: andyrbrinkman@gmail.com.
The coach leaves Windermere station at 12.30pm before returning at 4.15pm.