HAVING dealt with old people for 16 years, we know that caring for them is not easy. But keeping them at home, as we did with my mother and aunt, needs patience, time and commitment.

In some cases, this is not possible. Some elderly people settle in care homes easily. Others take time and need caring and understanding.

Many of these homes are successful and have the patients' trust. Now, they are to be turned out.

Those involved with this decision should visit and see for themselves. These old people have worked hard, saved and given their homes up, in some cases because they couldn't care for themselves any more and with no one to commit themselves to this hard task and help them at home.

It is not a straightforward case of getting carers in. The old people involved find it hard to accept so many new people and chop and change. The family are made to feel they are doing wrong in getting extra help.

I admire the elderly giving up their homes when necessary and going into a care home. But to settle in one place then have to move under these circumstances is totally wrong.

RUTH and MICHAEL MOORE, Beechwood Avenue, Clitheroe.