A broken lift at a three-storey care centre has left vulnerable residents "effectively trapped" in their homes for Christmas.

The elevator at Rogallo Place in Pilots View, Chatham has been out of order for about three weeks leaving its residents, who have mobility issues and dementia, feeling "like prisoners".

The property, which is managed by Southern Housing (formerly Optivo and Southern Housing Group), provides "extra care" for over-55s to live with the independence of a self-contained flat while providing support where it is needed.

Karen Barrett's mum Sylvia lived at the building with partner Tommy for two years until her death earlier this month, and Tommy, who has dementia, now lives there alone.

While the lifts have been out of order in the past, Karen says these have usually been fixed within a week.

But a national supply issue means the lift will not be fixed until replacement parts can be delivered in January.

The building's other lift only reaches the second of three floors, meaning residents on the top level of the building must use the stairs to leave their floor.

Many residents at the home have mobility issues, so taking the stairs is difficult and for some impossible without the assistance of carers.

Karen said: "They are essentially trapped in their flats. The ones on the top floor who can't even get down the stairs alone, they're like prisoners now."

But the former teacher is not just worried about those with physical disabilities, adding that the broken lift also threatens the independence of those with mental difficulties such as dementia.

Tommy is one such resident with the condition who has been struggling without the lift.

Karen said: "For people with dementia, they get around by remembering their route, and taking that same route everyday. With their route comes their independence.

"Tommy remembers his route from his room, to the lift, to the restaurant downstairs. Now the lift nearest his room is broken he has to use the other one, but he can't remember where it is, he can't always find it."

While Tommy would usually take Sylvia downstairs to lunch in her wheelchair using the lift everyday, he now struggles to make the journey by himself and requires carers to escort him to and from the lunch room downstairs.

Karen added: "He's lost that little bit of independence he had, by being able to go to lunch by himself, and I just worry that the longer this drags on, he's going to forget his old routine."

She added her and her husband, Paul, had also found another resident wandering the building multiple times since the lift has been broken.

Karen's concerns are not just with the dementia itself, however, but the wider impact the broken lift has on residents.

The 56-year-old of Harptree Drive, Walderslade said: "Tommy gets anxious as lunch approaches, asking us whether they have fixed the lift yet. He's worried he won't be able to find his way down.

"He likes his independence in being able to leave lunch when he has finished eating but now he has to wait for the carers to escort him back upstairs.

"In a facility where residents have physical and mental disabilities it's not acceptable for lifts to be out of order for what could end up being two months. It's not good enough.

"And if the second lift breaks, there's no backup option."

A Southern Housing spokesman said: "While Rogallo Place has two lifts, the lift servicing the third floor is currently out of order. We’re very sorry for the impact this is having on the residents.

'Now the lift nearest his room is broken he has to use the other one, but he can't remember where it is, he can't always find it'

"Due to a national supply issue with the availability of replacement parts, we’re unable to complete the repair before Christmas. We hope to have it resolved in January.

"In the meantime, we’re doing everything we can to support residents’ wellbeing."

The spokesman said the company has been checking in with residents every day, and Southern Housing is also able to assist with bringing up shopping and essential items, and can deliver meals from the on-site restaurant.

They added: "Our scheme manager has also been visiting in person two to three times a week. There is a care team on-site 24 hours a day who have also been able to help.

"We’re looking into strengthening our contingency plan in the event of any lift failures in the future. We are exploring options, including fitting a stair lift for the top floor.

"We will continue to monitor the situation following the repair in January and provide any support we can to the residents."