ELDERLY people could be ‘forced’ in to care homes if an increase of more than 240 per cent in their sheltered housing bills is implemented.

Residents of Foylebank Court, on Portland, have been told that Dorset County Council (DCC) cannot afford to subsidise the service any longer. It also affects residents of Westhaven House, Weymouth, a complex in Blandford and another in Christchurch.

DCC will assess residents on whether they can pay some or the full amount – an increase of 245 per cent for those on Portland.

And some are in ‘despair’ that this could mean they can’t afford to live there any more, forcing them in to care homes.

Residents George and Pat Killoran, who moved into Foylebank Court one month ago, said the increase was ‘unfair’ and that many residents would struggle to pay it.

George said: “Many residents find it difficult to complain or voice any concern in writing. The average age must be about 80. I attended a recent meeting organised by DCC and saw the despair on many of the older residents’ faces.

“The increase is from £17.63 to £60.92 per week. If the full amount is decided upon it is about 240 per cent which by any standards is outrageous.

“The whole object of Foylebank and similar places is to help people stay out of care homes for as long as possible, thereby saving the taxpayer money. With a rise like this many might as well go in to a care home.”

He added: “Despite means testing, this increase will leave them with little money to spend on themselves. They are in fact paying entirely for their own care, with no support from the council.

“The Prime Minister claims he wants to support people that ‘play by the rules, worked hard all their lives and pay their taxes.’ If this is his idea of support we can do without it.”

Mr Killoran added that the new increase meant a charge of £240 on top of their monthly rent of £814.

Another resident, John Hoult, who lives at Foylebank with his partner George Douglas, said: “We are in limbo and are currently on a losing wicket – that is the feeling of most residents in the 48 flats here.”

DCC says the increase is to ensure all residents in its four Extra Care schemes are paying fairly towards the services it buys from Aster Living. Only those living at Trailway Court in Blandford currently pay the full cost of their services.

These charges at all four complexes are separate to and on top of rent.

A letter to residents says they can ask for a financial assessment to work out whether they can afford to pay all, or some of this charge.

The full charge will be made on those assessed as being able to afford it.

A letter to Foylebank residents says: "Unfortunately, the council can no longer afford to continue to charge less for a service that it costs to provide.

"The Care Act 2014 allows service users to be charged for services subject to the charge being fair. The council is expected to apply the charging rules equally so those with similar services are treated the same. There is no requirement to charge.’ The term ‘Extra Care’ housing is used to describe developments that comprise self-contained homes with design features and support services available to enable self-care and independent living. Extra Care housing should be able to provide most residents, if they so desire, with a home for the remainder their life, regardless of changes in their care needs.

A consultation on the charges will run until September 30, with changes beginning in January.

The consultation comes as the council looks to make savings of £47m by 2017/18, but it will still be spending around £250 million a year on services in Dorset.

Nationally, councils have slashed their adult social care budgets by 31 per cent over the last five years.