Allan Humphrey fears his mother may not survive a move

Winifred Humphrey has lived at Bradley House near Whitstable since 1994, having sold her home to pay the fees.

Kent County Council took over responsibility for the contract after her money ran out last year.

But owners Lifestyle Care Homes have now told Mrs Humphrey she has to leave Bradley House because the rate paid by the council does not meet its latest fee levels.

The company plans to close one of its two care homes and keep only its privately-funded residents.

Suddenly to be faced with a change, with new faces, people she doesn't know - that will be hard for her Allan Humphrey Son of Winifred

Son Allan Humphrey fears his mother, who suffered a stroke nine years ago after a fall, may not survive the upheaval of a move later this week.

He said: "She knows the staff there and they know her.

"Suddenly to be faced with a change, with new faces, people she doesn't know - that will be hard for her."

Mr Humphrey said he believed companies should be obliged by the government to accept a longer-term responsibility for the elderly people in their care.

"It's not just my mother - there are other people in a similar position," he said.

'Business reasons'

"The government is not really concerned with elderly people.

"It is more concerned about other people coming into this country and looking after them than about its own indigenous population."

Oliver Mills, director of operations for Kent County Council's social services, said it was an unusual situation for the 12 council-funded residents concerned.

He said: "This particular company for their own business reasons have decided they no longer want to take people at Kent County Council prices.

Unfortunately caring seems to have become big business Spokeswoman for Age Concern in Whitstable

"When care homes up their prices we would continue to pay for those people who remain there under the conditions we agreed.

"But in this particular case the care home has decided to change the profile of its business and not take people funded by the council.

"As I understand it, they have decided to close this home and move the people who are privately funded to their other home."

A spokeswoman for Age Concern in Whitstable said: "It's difficult when any 102-year-old moves into a home thinking it's going to be their secure home for life, with comforts and safety - and suddenly is told they are going to have to move.

"Unfortunately caring seems to have become big business."

Lifestyle Care Homes declined to comment when approached by the BBC.