Leeds families 'devastated' as loved ones told to move out of care home due to redesign
Leeds care home’s plan to upgrade facilities means several residents will need to find new homes
Dementia patients face having to move out of a Leeds care home after bosses made the decision to redesign the facility.
Middleton Park Lodge Care Home, which is managed under the Orchard Healthcare Group, plans to convert and repurpose the current ground floor nursing community into a Reconnect Dementia Community.
The group said the move would “better suit the needs of dementia patients” across Leeds.
However, families of several residents attended a meeting where they were told that their loved ones would have to move to alternative accommodation due to the Middleton care home’s redesign plans.
The Yorkshire Evening Post understands the care home will remain open throughout the conversion but the number of residents who will have to be moved has not been confirmed.
One of the residents affected is 90-year-old Joyce Eyre, a dementia patient who has been living at Middleton Park Lodge Care Home for around three years.
Her daughter Debra fears that the transition may have a “traumatising” impact on Joyce, who is currently unaware she will have to move.
“We never moved mum from here because she’s so happy,” Debra told the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“She’s never been happier and now her world’s going to fall apart because she’s not going have a clue what's going on.”
Debra attended the meeting where she said that families were in tears when they heard the news.
She said: “It was a horrible atmosphere, everybody was just devastated.
“It was heart-breaking.”
Regarding the changes, a spokesperson from Orchard Healthcare Group said: “Reconnect is a specialist dementia nursing service that offers a holistic, person-centred approach for people living with dementia.
“It brings together bespoke environmental adaptations, specialist care practices, and tailored support from trained Reconnect Nurses and Dementia Support Workers.
“Unfortunately, these efforts do mean that the care services provided will no longer be suitable for some of the residents who already reside at Middleton Park Lodge.”
Orchard Healthcare Group has stated that they understand that unexpected change can be “upsetting and disappointing” and that they “will ensure the best continuation of appropriate care” as residents move to new accommodation.
A spokesperson from Orchard Healthcare Group added: “Any residents affected by this upcoming change will be fully supported throughout the process, with personalised plans in place to help identify suitable alternative accommodation that meets their individual needs and preferences.
“There is no requirement for residents to move immediately, and we are committed to ensuring that any transitions are handled as sensitively and carefully as possible. The wellbeing, dignity and continuity of care of our residents remain our absolute priority.”