Residents at a sheltered housing community that is facing closure 'knew things were going wrong'.
Two homes in Norfolk and Suffolk are among 43 facilities across the UK placed under review by their owner, the charity Abbeyfield.
The homes are in Great Yarmouth and Beccles.
At least one relative criticised the organisation for causing "panic" among the people who live in the facilities.
Abbeyfield said it is supporting and assisting residents and staff "through this difficult process".
Tony Evans, whose 85-year-old uncle, Tom Beckett, lives at the home on Lawn Avenue in Great Yarmouth, said: "The residents are very vulnerable due to their age and infirmities.
"Moving old folks in their later years is very risky and disorientates them somewhat – some don’t recover."
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Sue Marsh, 81, a resident at the home, said: "All I know is they can't afford to keep it open.
"We knew things were going wrong but not to this extent."
While the news was "unexpected", Ms Marsh was stoic about her future and said that "something would turn up".
The sheltered home on Ravensmere in Beccles has also been placed "under consultation".
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An Abbeyfield spokesperson said the charity recently completed a review of all its homes "as part of making a clear plan for the future of the organisation".
"These reviews considered how our properties can keep pace with the changing needs, tastes and expectations of older people, the investment required to bring them up to modern standards and whether they are able to meet new regulatory and energy efficiency requirements."
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The charity also noted the impact of the Covid pandemic, increased energy prices and rising inflation on its finances.
"Everybody taking part in the consultation process will have the opportunity to share their thoughts, ideas and any proposals they may have before a final decision is made," the spokesperson added.
The Great Yarmouth home has nine rooms and the Beccles facility 11 residents.
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