By Tom Geoghegan BBC News Online

She was determined the permanent confines of a wheelchair would not prevent her resuming her social life in her native Portsmouth.

But the greatest barrier to her regaining her independence is not her new disability.

After three months in hospital, a lack of adequate nursing homes in Portsmouth - where she has lived all her life - has forced her 25 miles away in Chichester, far from her friends and the city she loves.

I talk to my friends on the phone and now I've left the flat, they all say it's a pity I'm not in Portsmouth Florence Bramble

Florence, who lived in sheltered accommodation when she had the stroke, told BBC News Online: "I do miss it because I had lots of friends there and it's too far for them to visit.

"I'm hoping to go back but it's a job to get anywhere there.

"I talk to my friends on the phone and now I've left the flat, they all say it's a pity I'm not in Portsmouth.

"I would have company if I was there."

Florence said the care in Chichester is very good, but some of the residents are immobile so there is not as much socialising.

Charity rescue

This compounds the frustrations she feels from her own deterioration in health.

"The staff don't neglect me but I just have to sit in my wheelchair. I can't walk any more."

Florence's husband died nine years ago and she has no relatives.

Her only visitor is Marie Potter, a volunteer at the Portsmouth charity Personal Choice, without which Florence would not have found a suitable place to live at all.

We are in the grip of a crisis in social care provision for older people Age Concern spokesman

Care homes shortage - click here

Personal Choice is an advice service for elderly people, which does a lot of work in finding places at nursing and residential homes.

When she had the stroke, the six volunteers set about finding her a long-term home.

Florence was first admitted to the Queen Alexandra Hospital in nearby Cosham.

But after four weeks, she was moved to rehabilitate in a Petersfield hospital, 20 miles away, because staff in Cosham needed the medical beds.

By October, she was well enough to be discharged but it was not until Christmas Eve that they found a suitable place and she went to Chichester.

Cash crisis

Mrs Potter told BBC News Online: "I refused about three homes because they were either for people with dementia or I felt the standard of care was far too low.

"She wouldn't have been cared for adequately there.

"The home in Chichester is excellent but it's not where she really wants to be, so she's feeling a bit cut-off."

While staying at Petersfield waiting for a home, she felt in the way and became quite depressed, the volunteer added.

As well as the geographical problem posed by Chichester, the cost of the home at �510 a week was initially a problem because Florence's savings will soon run out.

Florence receives good care but misses her friends

But the owner of the home kindly agreed that when Florence can no longer afford it, the accommodation costs are to be reduced to whatever social services can pay.

She is on two waiting lists for homes in Portsmouth, but there are nine people ahead of her.

Mrs Potter said in her 10 years of experience, the closure of homes is an increasing problem.

A key issue, she said, is that government funding is not keeping pace with the cost of the rooms.

And many homes had to achieve a minimum standard of care which for some was impossible.

For example, the requirement to install a lift shaft in an old Victorian care home meant it had to close, she added.