A pioneering £5.4 million care home in Fife has welcomed its first residents.
Ostlers House Care Home forms part of a care village which has been described by the industry regulator as sector-leading.
Some 44 elderly people have moved into the 60-bed Kirkcaldy facility from the town’s Raith Gates and Appin House homes, while 26 couples and single people have flitted to the surrounding sheltered houses and bungalows.
More will arrive at the Ostlers Way home early in the new year.
Officially opening it, Fife Council’s executive spokesperson for housing Judy Hamilton said: “It’s wonderful to see the early vision of the care village concept become a reality.”
The council-owned home, which boasts a hair salon, movie room, drop-in caf and day care service, will be followed by the construction of care villages in Lumphinnans and Glenrothes.
Council leader David Ross said: “The completion of the first care village in Fife is a great achievement.
“Extensive consultation with residents, day care service users, families, staff and other stakeholders has taken place throughout the project and their feedback has been incorporated into the specialised design and layout.
“The Kirkcaldy care village will safeguard and meet the needs of vulnerable and elderly people in Fife now and in the future.”
Health and social care divisional general manager David Heaney said the flit of residents went smoothly.
Ian Donaldson, 74, said: “I lived in Raith Gates for three and a half years and was a wee bit apprehensive at the thought of moving.
“The staff have been so kind and they have put my mind at rest.
“I would like to thank the council and builders for giving us a lovely home, a beautiful building and great facilities.”
Fellow resident Alison Rollo, 78, described it as a “home from home”.
Sheltered housing tenants Jim and Margaret Napier said they were “over the moon” with their new home which has a special cupboard with electric socket for charging wheelchairs and height adjustable kitchen fittings.
Mrs Napier said: “I am looking forward to getting my hair done in the new hair dressing salon and Jim is looking forward to working in the garden when the spring comes.”
Work on the care village, built by Robertson Construction, began in June last year, almost two years after the plan to replace ageing Raith Gates and Appin House was approved by the council.