THE sister of a man with learning difficulties has deemed the prolonged wait to find out the fate of the care home where he lives in Exmouth as "frustrating and cruel".
For some residents Bystock Court has been a home, community and place of work for decades.
In addition to being home to around 35 residents, it provides a day service provision.
The whole service operates under the Devon Sheltered Homes Trust Charity but is overseen by Guinness Care & Support – who provide care to more than 10,000 customers.
A consultation process was launched in February over the home's future.
Families of residents were told that as a result of changes in Government policy and local authorities' commissioning plans, provision of services at Bystock are considered "outdated" and it is "financially unviable" to continue as they no longer receive referrals from commissioners.
Instead the vision for Guinness Care and the trust is for the home to close and residents to instead move into smaller houses in a "supported living environment with a more personalised service".
The consultation, during which time a petition against the closure attracted almost 2,500 signatures, came to an end in April and residents were told a decision would be made by June.
Emma Knight's brother James, who is 45, and has severe learning difficulties and a mental age of three, has lived at Bystock Court for almost three decades.
"It's gone from bad to worse to tragic," Emma said. "Not only are members of staff worrying about their jobs but these are vulnerable adults who have no idea what is going to happen to them or where they're going to live.
"The other day when we visited he put his head in his hands and said where am I going to have to move home?"
Emma said her brother's health is suffering as a result of the prolonged uncertainty.
She explained that alternative options are sparse and Devon County Council, which funds James' place, has limitations on how much they will spend.
She said her brother and other residents could end up in an online "brokering" system whereby their details are uploaded and care homes with availability bid for prospective residents.
Emma expressed concerns that alternative redevelopment options for the site, which could improve its future viability and save it from closure, are not being considered by the company.
"It's been absolutely awful," she added. "We're beside ourselves with worry. It's incredibly frustrating, and cruel."
Statement on behalf of the trust and Guinness Care, said a decision will be made this summer. It added: "We have listened to the views of customers and their families throughout the consultation and are committed to doing all we can to work in partnership with the commissioning authorities to support customers both now and in the future."
