SEVEN out of 10 people said they would be “very or fairly scared” about moving into a residential care home in the East of England, a charity has warned.

An Alzheimer’s Society report showed 70% of people surveyed in the East of England would have fears about moving into a care home.

But the report also revealed 75% of relatives would recommend care homes to their loved ones, despite less than half saying their relatives living in care homes have a good quality of life.

Paul Dunnery, area manager for Alzheimer’s Society in East Anglia, said: “Our research has found that people have very low expectations of what a care home will offer and many are scared of ever living in one.”

The report states that 80% of people in UK residential care homes have either dementia or severe memory problems.

In Suffolk, 9,116 people live with dementia and it is estimated that figure will rise to 12,239 by 2021.

Mr Dunnery added: “Too often we hear that people with dementia in care homes don’t have the opportunity for regular and meaningful social interaction and activities of their choice.

“Care homes shouldn’t be seen as an isolated place of last resort.”

Maizie Mears-Owen, head of dementia at Care UK which runs the 16 care homes and eight Wellbeing Centres in Suffolk, said: “One of our specialities is to deliver excellent care for people living with dementia.

“The important thing is that people find out as much as possible about a home, and many of our care homes organise events for their communities.

“These give people the opportunity to see for themselves the good work that we do and to experience activity-based care which encourages residents to pursue their hobbies.”