News

Help the Aged is to sell its 32 care homes across the country because it is unable to guarantee their long-term financial viability, writes Derren Hayes.

Ownership and management of the homes is to be taken over by Hanover Friends, a new joint venture specially created by two charities, Hanover Housing Group and Friends of the Elderly, allowing Help the Aged to concentrate on expanding its telephone helpline, carrying out research and developing more community and volunteer-based services.

Help the Aged says Hanover Friends can run the homes more efficiently and effectively because of economies of scale – Hanover Housing Group has over 15,000 retirement properties across the UK. The new charity has plans to expand the number of care beds by 20 per cent over the next 10 years, and has a wider range of accommodation options.

Steve Jones, director of communications for Help the Aged, said: "Ours is a small supply of homes that are scattered geographically, making it impossible for us to guarantee its cost effectiveness or that the future care of residents would be improved."

The decision to transfer was given the backing of residents and staff during a 12-month consultation process.

Jones said the residents’ financial terms would remain the same and staff would also be transferred to Hanover Friends. However, the financial details of the deal are still to be finalised, with the transfer not expected to be completed until the autumn.