“We’re talking about people in their late 80s and 90s. These are the people they are going to affect, out of all the things that could be happening, I just feel they’ve picked the wrong horse to back here.”

These are the words of Colin Haldane, whose 98-year-old dad Douglas is one of 36 elderly residents set to bear the brunt of the impending closure of Montrose Care Home in Paisley.

The decision of last month’s integration joint board (IJB) – responsible for oversight of Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) – came as a major blow for those impacted and has sparked a fightback among families and staff.

Colin is worried about the effect moving home will have on his dad, who was a GP in Paisley for more than 35 years and is settled at the facility in Heriot Avenue, Foxbar.

He said: “The thing about him is he’s super sharp. He watches sport, he can tell you who plays for who, who is playing the next game and what’s happening, he will message you on an iPhone.

“He can converse with anybody about anything, he’s a bit of a character, but the impact is going to be huge.

“He’s established, he has a rhythm to his life and the carers I have to say are excellent. There’s a wee family of people who are still in the same unit.

“I know they are saying they will move them all together and move the staff together but it’s just not as simple as that. He’s content where he is.

“We take him outside, he likes to see the hills and enjoy life, and this is going to be quite a thing for him. For somebody of that age, a change of that nature, he’s settled where he is.”

Douglas, an avid golfer until the age of 91, has been a Montrose resident for two-and-a-half years, having moved there after consecutive breaks to his head of femur on each leg.

Colin explained: “When he went into the care home, he got quite a sense of relief because he was safe in his own mind.

“Now, you’re moving to another place and it’s two-and-a-half years down the line and I personally think, knowing the kind of character he is, that he’ll think, ‘You know what? I’ve had enough of this’.

“He’s not said anything overtly. He’s not said, ‘This will be it for me,’ but I just get that feeling that this will be one step too far.

“He won’t be happy about it. He won’t just go along with it. And at that age, who can blame him?

“He won’t overtly do anything but he would just slowly wind down, eat less and do less and life would be less fulfilling than it is at the minute.”

More than 2,500 people have signed a petition opposing the closure of the home and campaigners even gathered in protest at Renfrewshire House.

Last Friday, concerned family members, including Colin, and staff met Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar MSP at a public meeting in the Wynd Centre. He agreed to raise their cause in the Scottish Parliament.

According to a report to the IJB meeting last month – where members voted 6-2 to shut down the home – the cost-cutting measures will provide a saving of £399,000, a fraction of its overall projected funding gap.

“The fact is they have to balance the books somehow and they’ve chosen to do this,” Colin said. “I would advocate they could have chosen several other things.”

Renfrewshire HSCP said it recognises the “unsettling nature” of the situation for residents and their families.

A spokesperson added: “At Montrose Care Home, any changes will only occur following thorough discussions with residents and their families or representatives.

“These discussions will continue until agreement is reached on a timeline and implementation plans, tailored to meet the specific needs of each person.

“Conversations have already commenced to ensure we assess the care needs of each resident and understand what is most important to them.

“We are committed to facilitating the transition as smoothly as possible for every resident. Our staff will work hard to ensure that the homely atmosphere and comforts provided by Montrose are replicated as closely as possible in their new chosen care home.”