Staff shortages and rising prices have forced a respected residential home owner to close after 25 years.

Fighting back tears, Teresa Oakey admitted: "It is so sad but I just can't get the staff. Rising prices also mean I have no option but to close. The past few days have been really emotional telling the residents."

Eight pensioners at Bromfield House in Minster Road, Minster, Sheppey, are having to find new accommodation within weeks of Christmas. The home, registered to look after 10 residents aged 65 and over is to close by December 11.

It has been rated 'good' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and had been reviewed by inspectors as recently as last Thursday. According to the CQC website there were no issues of concern.

But in a surprise move, residents received letters dated November 1 telling them they had six weeks to find another home. Two were being collected by relatives yesterday (Tuesday).

Mrs Oakey, 49, has been at the home for around 25 years, 10 as manager and the last 10 as owner.

She said she had been advertising for day and night staff since January but had only found one "serious applicant".

"We are only a small home with a staff of 10. I was trying to increase our head count but people were either unsuitable or didn't want the work. Some didn't even reply to my phone calls or fill in the application form," she said.

She was then hit by three resignations. She said: "People are entitled to move on. One long-term member is getting out of care altogether."

Increased heating and lighting costs plus rising insurance premiums – up from £2,500 to £10,000 – have created a "perfect storm".

"It has been very emotional," she said. "I have no idea what I will do after this but my current priority is to ensure all our residents find new accommodation. I didn't want there to be an emergency closure. This way, they have time to look at other places."

She stressed: "My remaining staff have been fabulous."

'It is with a heavy heart...'

In a letter to residents she wrote: "It is with a heavy heart I write to give six weeks’ notice of the company’s intention to close Bromfield House Residential Home by or around December 11.

"This decision is based on our concerns regarding the home’s ability to recruit staff to enable the home to continue to provide the safe and high level of care Bromfield House has always prided itself on.

"This, together with the impact of energy costs, and the general cost of living pressures, of potential ten-fold increases, keeping our salary rates for our incredible team lower than we would like and also contributing to growing workforce shortages in health and social care in general, has left us in the position of feeling that giving notice to close the home now is in the long-term interests of all the residents."

She added: "We believe with the remaining staff and their necessary notice periods we will be able to continue to facilitate the safe care and running of the home until around December 11 to give you time to find an alternative home of your choice."

The CQC and Kent County Council have been informed and KCC has provided a list of vacancies in other homes.

Mrs Oakey said: "This has not been an easy decision but one which I really do feel is in the very best interests of all the residents."

As one woman left the home yesterday, her son, who did not want to be named, said: "It is very sad but understandable." His mother is going to a home in Ospringe near Faversham.

A KCC spokesman said: "We are fully aware of the closure and have been supporting the home manager and offered assistance to any resident that needs it. All are self-funded.

"There are a total of eight residents. Three are moving this week and there are plans in place for sourcing the other five placements. Everyone has been supported to have a choice in which placement they move on to."

Last month a CQC report highlighted the crippling staff crisis in healthcare nationwide.

It said: "Providers are struggling desperately to recruit and retain staff with the right skills and in the right numbers to meet the increasing needs of people in their care.

"Despite their efforts, in many cases providers are losing this battle as staff are drawn to industries with higher pay and less stressful conditions."

A report to the House of Commons' health and social care committee said the NHS and social care services now faced "the greatest ever workforce crisis" and warned that "persistent understaffing" posed a "serious risk to staff and patient safety".