By Michele Canning
WHAT'S to become not only of this generation but of the next if they close the only publicly funded residential home in Strabane?
That's a question that the relatives of the elderly residents of Greenfield home are asking.
The families are seeking many answers from the Western Health Trust as to what's to happen to their loved ones if it ploughs ahead with its 2010 closure.
The immediate concern of the 20 plus families is the future fate of residents, and exactly where they will go to if Greenfield's doors are shut.
But they have also expressed concerns for the future generations of Strabane and where they will spend their twilight years.
They point out that residents are there on the advice of doctors and Social Services. Residents are not there because they need nursing care but because they are unable to live alone. And most importantly, they now have nowhere else to go.
"Many of the residents here don't have a home to go back to, their homes have been sold. This is their home. We as relatives do not have the facilities to look after their loved ones," says Geraldine McBrearty, daughter of 86 year old Ruby McMonagle.
"We don't know what is going to happen, we have been told of no alternative plan. Where is my mum to go," she asked.
Celia Patton's mum Sadie has been in the Home for less than a year.
"What is to replace it? Greenfield has provided a unique service for the Strabane district. Residents have been here for many years and cannot integrate back into society.
"Not all families have the ability to care for their loves ones the way they are being looked after in Greenfield. Many residents need walking aids and much help with daily living.
"All are fearful of the situation that faces them if in March 2010 if this ill-thought out plan is allowed to go ahead without strong objection.
"It is a poor reflection on society and the elderly and most vulnerable are made to suffer and bear hardship such as is planned by the Western Health Trust.
"What plans have they for giving domiciliary care and assistance to elderly and infirm.
"At present we are told that the resources are such that those requiring such services are not getting them in the community. We all know of people in their 80s and 90s living alone and being given 15 to 20 mins home help.
"So where is this extra care going to come from when Greenfield closes? The residents in Greenfield use the lift to access areas of the Home. Is the Trust going to provide lifts in al houses when these people are forced back into their own homes.
It seems amazing that after being deemed, unsuitable and unsafe for them to live in, elderly people are being forced to return to that very situation.
"Daily, we hear of attacks and vulnerable people in their homes. Repatriation of residents to live in the community will increase this serious risk," Ms Patton said.
Mary Mooney is the daughter in law of 93 year old Olive.
"Greenfield is her home now, her security, her care. Her interests are here and she has lots of people to talk to.
"She is so well looked after by the staff at Greenfield and she is here because she does require 24 hour attention.
"Olive needs someone all of the time and it's just not possible for the family to do that.
"If the Home closes she will be very upset to lose her friends and the lovely atmosphere in which she lives.
"It will also be quite tying for the family in the sense that it would mean someone having to be home all day to look after her as she is unable to cope independently," she added.
