Dementia sufferers face being evicted
LOVED-ones of dementia sufferers are pleading with a council to stop their relatives being kicked out of a "magnificent" care home.
Vulnerable patients currently receive full-time or respite care at the city council-run Marrow House, in Meir Hay.
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But the council wants to move the existing residents from the specialist dementia home and turn the Forrister Street complex into a centre for the rehabilitation of patients discharged from hospital.
That move will allow the council to shut two other local authority care homes – a rehabilitation centre at St Michael's House, in Chell, and the Meadows, in Bucknall.
The whole programme would save £334,000 towards the council's proposed £24 million cuts target.
But relatives of pensioners at Marrow House are fighting the planned cut.
Pat Autenrieth, whose 98-year-old mother Irene Morris has respite care in Marrow House, said: "The £334,000 is just a drop in the ocean among all the other cuts. Yet it is causing so much disruption and heartache to so many vulnerable people and their families.
"My mum has Alzheimer's and has also stayed in St Michael's House which is also magnificent."
The council has already spent more than £2 million turning both homes into centres of excellence.
It comes as hundreds of people have already signed petitions to try to save St Michael's from closure.
Mrs Morris, of Hanley, is allowed six-weeks-a-year respite at Marrow House.
Former hotel receptionist Mrs Autenrieth added: "My mother is very timid and doesn't like leaving her home.
"We thought our prayers were answered when we found somewhere as good as Marrow House for respite.
"Some staff have been there 30 years and they are excellent at stimulating residents with activities. The home also has its own hairdressers and shops.
"I couldn't find anywhere suitable in the private sector, where there is often a rapid turnover of staff and in some cases appalling quality of care.
"I will do my best to save Marrow House but if we lose I will refuse to place mum in a private home even though that puts more pressure on us.
"Marrow House is my mother's future and if it shuts that goes right against clinical guidelines for caring for those with Alzheimer's."
Doreen Norton, of Dresden, whose mother is a permanent Marrow House resident, added: "The building has just been completely refurbished at a cost of £1.7million of taxpayers' money.
"Everyone at the home is treated with respect and the atmosphere and ambience are excellent – yet all the residents now face eviction.
"I will fight the decision and I hope people will back me."
A final decision on the council proposals will be made on February 23.
Councillor Olwen Hamer, cabinet member for adult social care, health and commissioning, said: "We are consulting with residents about savings outlined in this year's budget proposals which include the re-provision of Marrow House."
7 Comments
by yamahaman
Monday, January 02 2012, 3:43PM
“Once again those empty words," We are consulting" It would seem that there is much consulting going on with all service users, but I have little hope that there is any listening to what is being said. I fear this is another done deal.
The day centres which provide much needed assistance to those families who look after the vunerable elderly within the City are at risk, and this centre is on the hit list. The private sector can not pick up all those services which will to be axed.
The City has along term problems of elderly care, which will not be solved by short term thinking. We are living longer and the problems of dementia and alzheimer's are on the increase. Once centred such as this are closed, they will never be reopened.”
by LILYOFLAGOONA
Monday, January 02 2012, 1:33PM
“The Council have spent almost £2 million on making St Micheals a Centre of Excellence for Rehabilition and the same amount on making Marrow House a Centre for the care of Dimentia Patients, less than two years ago! Now they want to change things again with not a thought for the elderly and most vulnerable people of this city! How the Chiefs and Councillors love to waste our money and they don't care who suffers, while they change things around once more, to justify their existence. Obviously , they have no close relatives in care in this city and would probably pay for private health care if they had! So why should they worry what distress and upset they cause for the patients and relatives who care for them in these homes at present! Let's hope that the protesters win this battle. A battle that we should all join in!”
by truestokie
Monday, January 02 2012, 1:19PM
“These jackboot low lifes are attacking the elderly again.
Ask yourself did these thugs advertise this when they were sucking up to you for your vote.
This is not Labour, Labours dead and buried, now it has closer ties to the Waffen SS.
This is disgusting even for this shower of ****”
by LIDASTREES
Monday, January 02 2012, 1:18PM
“Well said stoketon and pensioner46”
by stoketon
Monday, January 02 2012, 12:32PM
“Thats it Stoke on Trent council target the most vunerable have any of you had a relative with dementia well i have and it take specialist care,and Mrs Morris you are very correct private care is nowhere near as good as we found out to our cost,the only people private care cares about is the bank balance for the owners,so come on you councillors do what you were voted in to do and care for the people of this city and if you don't want to do that then resign and let someone do it who does.It is an absolute disgrace.”
by LIDASTREES
Monday, January 02 2012, 12:32PM
“If the council wish to make cuts of £24M I would suggest they get back the £21M owed in council tax arrears before abusing elderly infirm people.”
by pensioner46
Monday, January 02 2012, 10:43AM
“Here we go again easy targets the elderly and most vulnerable I would like to ask Councillor Olwen Hamer does she have anyone in a care home and if so is that one under threat. This home has been refurbished, I would ask was this done with the new plans in mind?Councillor Olwen Hamer says we are consulting with residents about savings outlined in the budget is she for real making this statement they are elderly people and some are dementia sufferers I think it is insulting to say the least and very insensitive .All power to the relatives that are trying to prevent this happening although I have no one at the moment in a care home I would stand behind these people and give what support I could.I hope that the residents of Meir Hay and surrounding area's will do the same.”