DEVASTATED elderly people may be forced to move out of a cash-strapped privately-owned Prestwood care home.

Staffordshire County Council contacted residents at The Homestead to warn it has serious concerns about the financial viability of the company running the care home, Elysian Care Ltd.

Since receiving reports that staff at the home have not been paid, the county council has intervened and paid wages and resolved other issues to ensure the Wolverhampton Road home could keep running.

Families are being offered support to find suitable alternative accommodation for their loved ones, but the news has been very distressing for residents, according to Sylvia Ellis, of Wollaston.

She said her mother Ethel Fazey was distraught at the thought of leaving the place that has been her home for the last 18 months.

Mrs Ellis said staff had been brilliant with her 96-year-old mother, who has severe osteoporosis and added: "We've never had any problem with the care, I can't find a word to describe how good the carers are."

Her husband Anthony added: "The home is lovely - it's not just an old folks home, people are living there through choice. Everybody is really upset. The staff are excellent and the care is excellent, they all want to stay."

Wollaston resident Alison Shaw said her aunt, June Hodges was also “devastated".

She continued: "She has just given up her home and chosen to stay there, when I got the call from the social worker, I couldn't believe what was happening. It's distressing to see the state she is in, she's been crying her eyes out."

Councillor Dave Branwood, Dudley's Council's adult and community services chief, said: "We are aware of the problems at The Homestead and although the home is in Staffordshire, there are 12 Dudley residents to whom we have a duty of care and we are in daily contact with them and their families.

"This is clearly an anxious time for all concerned and we are working closely with Staffordshire County Council and the Care Quality Commission to make sure the situation is resolved as swiftly and safely as possible."

Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, has lent his support to residents and their families, adding: “The most important thing is that is that continuity of care will be provided for the residents already residing at The Homestead.

"Many of these residents are elderly and extremely vulnerable and it is very important that the transition from one home to another is a smooth one.

“I have called on the chief executive of the county council to assure me that they will provide a continuity of care. This is a distressing time for relatives and residents and I urge the council to ensure that residents are provided with suitable alternative arrangements.”

Alan White, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for health, care and wellbeing, added: “I can assure people that residents at The Homestead are well looked after and that this issue is purely financial.

“We’re keeping residents and their families fully informed about what’s happening. We’re reviewing each resident’s needs and looking at all the options available to us, but whatever we do residents’ interests will be at the forefront of our minds.”

He added: “I’d also like to thank the manager and staff at the home for their unstinting support and concern for the residents during what is also an uncertain time for them.”

At a meeting held at the home yesterday (Thursday), council staff told residents and their families  that they were still in talks with the owners to resolve the situation, but should consider finding alternative accommodation if necessary.

Mark Sutton, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet support member for social and health care said: “We are working with the owners to resolve the situation. The residents’ wellbeing is paramount and our intervention to ensure the continuity of care means everyone has time and space to resolve the problem, because we know that moving is very much a last resort.

“We’re aware that some residents have lived here for years and there is no deadline for anyone to leave. This is a careful process, different for each person and each resident’s wishes will be paramount.”

A representative for The Homestead was not available for comment.