Care home residents with Alzheimer's were told they have four to six weeks to find somewhere new before their current home closes.

Families with relatives at Willowmead care home, East Molesey, were dismayed to hear on Sunday, May 10, that the home, which costs £875-1,050 a week, would close because it is no longer suitable for use as a care home.

June Devine's mother has been in the care home since she was 59 and is now 74, Ms Devine said she thought the process was "really disrespectful".

Dominic Raab, MP for Esher and Walton, said: "I am very concerned about the impact of the closure in such a tight timeframe and the risks that this would have on the elderly residents. I will be taking this up with Willowmead Care Home and liaising with Surrey County Council as a matter of urgency."

Jackie Symes, 63, of Ember Lane, was with her mother-in-law, who has Alzheimer's, when the news was read out as they sat in the living room of the 12-bed care home.

At this time only five beds are occupied but when Mrs Symes' mother-in-law, Ina, 81, moved in last July, all beds were fully occupied.

Mrs Symes said a letter was received from the "really lovely family feel place" on Friday, May 8, asking them to come to a meeting on Sunday, where they were informed of the closure.

She said: "It's really quite sickening. I think everybody is really worried. I don't know whether it's deliberate callousness or poor planning."

John Symes said of his mother: "She's got Alzheimer's and whilst you think she is not really aware, actually she is aware and it did unsettle her.

"We should have had a private meeting or something that was out of the earshot of the residents at the time."

A statement from Mark Goodman, Montreux Healthcare CEO, on Tuesday, May 12, said the timeframe for closure had been extended to 12 weeks, following meetings with families affected, but advised alternative services were found as soon as possible.

Mr Goodman said: "I would like to emphasise that we do acknowledge and appreciate the anxiety and uncertainty that some residents and their families are feeling, but we are dedicated to assisting them in finding good quality alternative care."

Mr Goodman said the hope was for moves to take place quickly so there was less uncertainty and less chance of staff leaving before the end of 12 weeks. He said: "Whilst we will do whatever we can to manage our staff team and look at ways to ensure they remain in our employment we have all acknowledged that staff may decide to leave according to their own timescales rather than ours."

The worry for relatives and residents is the availability of places in nearby care homes. After two days of investigations into new homes, Mr Symes said: "It is already clear that we are now competing for places amongst us."

Councillor for Molesey East Steve Bax said he and Councillor Peter Szanto were concerned: "While we are pleased that the deadline for residents to relocate has been extended to 12 weeks, we don't believe it is reasonable for the management to be offering alternatives as far away as Kent.

"We will be speaking to colleagues about what help and support Elmbridge Council may be able to offer to identify suitable places much closer to home."