- I want to stay here, of course. My children and grandchildren live here and many of my relatives. I have always enjoyed the fine nature that is here, says Lewis Karlsson, who lives in the nursing home Björkhaga.

In 2015, the politicians planned to close Björkhaga in its current form to convert it into a safe housing, for those with a lower need for care. The plan was to complete the closure before a new building will be ready in Nättraby in a few years.

Not clear in the long run

The municipality's latest decision is to continue paying the rent for Björkhaga for another three-year period. But how it will be in the long run is unclear.

- We have made a decision that Björkhaga's contract with Karlskronahem has been extended to the last December in 2023, says the chair of the Elderly Council Eva-Lotta Altvall (S).

What happens next?

- We only have the confidence until the end of December 2023. We don't know what happens after that, she says.

Elderly Committee Chairman Eva-Lotta Altvall (S). Photo: Jerker Hagman / SVT

Sent protest letter

But residents of Hasslö want future guarantees. They have therefore sent a letter of protest to the Elderly Committee with signatures from over 600 people. They require Björkhaga to remain as a nursing home.

- These are people who have lived on the island for up to 90 years. They want to end their days here close to their friends, says Hazelnut Henrik Hedman.

- It feels awful and awful. I don't want to have to leave. I deny this to others, says hazel Ulla-Britt Ohlsson.

Ulla-Britt Ohlsson, Hasslö. Photo: Jerker Hagman / SVT