MOVING home is a traumatic and stressful experience for most people.

But when an elderly person is involved, the effects can often be more damaging.

Many vulnerable elderly people are disturbed by change, and that is one of the key issues Darlington Borough Council had to take into consideration when it proposed the closure of its five residential homes - Gladstone Hall, Moorcroft, Neville House, The Lawns and Westfields.

The authority says it cannot afford to bring the homes up to a proper standard and believes the only answer is to transfer the residents to private sector accommodation.

Social services chiefs argue that private homes are more modern and provide better facilities than its own properties, which would require spending of £4.5m to bring them up to new Government standards.

They point to the fact that a home such as Gladstone Hall has two baths and a shower between 21 residents, while the nearby, privately-run Stanton Hall offers 21 rooms, all with en-suite bathrooms.

The council is planning to minimise the effects of the move on the 120 residents living in its five homes by carrying out a comprehensive review of the needs of each individual.

They are also offering residents the opportunity to move with their friends.

But following a consultation exercise carried out over the closures, residents and their families have still expressed concerns about the upheaval it will cause.

It is a concern which has also been echoed by a leading national pensioner's charity.

Help the Aged spokesman Mervyn Kohler said last night it was vital that the move is handled with the greatest sensitivity.

"Evidence suggests that moving people who are elderly and frail can often be very damaging," he said.

"Change at their time of life can be a stressful experience, and while moving to better accommodation may be better in the long-term, it really does need to be handled with extraordinary sensitivity."

Of course, it is not just the elderly residents who will be affected by the closure of the homes.

About 125 staff work at the five homes, and they are also concerned for their future.

Darlington council has stressed it will try to find alternative employment for the staff within the authority.

Some may also be taken on by the private sector homes, but others could be made redundant.

Social services director Colin Morris said: "We will do all we can to work with the unions and the independent sector to head off any problems, but we obviously are unable to give any job guarantees."

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