VULNERABLE residents are facing being moved miles away if a threatened Malvern residential home is to close.

Seven elderly residents, all of whom are also sensory-impaired, could be pushed out if Tanglewood, on Albert Road South, closes because of a lack of money.

Staff say forcing residents to move could be too much for them. Some have lived at Tanglewood for over 30 years, where there is specialist equipment and staff can communicate with them by sign language and other methods.

The nearest similar centre for deaf, blind and deafblind people is in Birmingham, but does not cater for elderly care.

The home had a £250,000 refurbishment after being taken over by Sense in 1998. At that time spaces for residents were reduced from 18 to 12. To keep it open, the charity says extra money must come from Worcestershire Social Services.

Members of the 20-strong staff this week voiced their criticisms and concerns about the situation, accusing Sense of not doing enough.

"My main concern is where are the residents going to end up?" said care assistant Margaret Sparry.

Colleague Jenny Jones said the needs of residents were totally different to those of the more able elderly.

"It's not just their impairments, they are of a different culture as well," she said.

"They use different methods, tapping, signing, gestures. The skills to be able to understand them have been passed on by senior members of staff."

Libby Scully said Tangle-wood was a home to residents.

"You just can't imagine what they'll do or where they'll go," she said.

As well as residents, staff may also have to move to find new work if the home closes.

West Worcestershire MP Sir Michael Spicer has written to Sense expressing concern.

"It could be very worrying and disorientating for severely disabled people, who have been living in a place for a long time, to suddenly find themselves having to move," he said. I very much hope that Sense will understand the anxieties."

Sense's regional director Peter Cheer said rising costs meant even if the home was full it would still operate at a deficit.

"If the home does close, the help we provide to enable people to make a smooth transition to a new home would depend very much on the individual resident," he said.

A decision on its future should be made next week.