DOZENS of elderly people and staff have been given just five weeks’ notice to leave a care home.

Twenty-three residents, the oldest 98 and the youngest 81, are to be re-housed and more than 20 staff made redundant from Abbeyfield Valley Lodge, in Ifield Way, Gravesend, to make way for refurbishment plans.

The home’s provider, The Abbeyfield Kent Society (AKS) plans to lock the doors on Saturday, March 15.

In the last full inspection conducted by Commission for Social Care in October 2006, it was noted that the home, which has provided personal care since 1979, needed to ensure adequate staffing levels, address “offensive odours”, carry out risk assessments on overcrowded bedrooms and replace carpets.

AKS has indicated one of two revamp options, the first a “low-cost” £2.4 million plan or a complete rebuild costing around £6 million, will be carried out.

The society is not sure how long the home will be closed and has said its 35 care and domestic staff must apply for other jobs or re-apply for their jobs when the home re-opens.

AKS, along with Kent County Council, has vowed to support all residents in finding alternative accommodation within the society’s other Gravesend sites, KCC care homes, or in the private sector.

It said the resettlement of its residents into new homes will be its “first and foremost priority.”

The society has said work cannot be carried out without the home being closed.