By Per Peterson
Another domino in the realm of senior housing in southwest Minnesota fell last week when it was announced that on July 19, the Slayton Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center will close — this, just two weeks after officials said Colonial Manor in Balaton will shut down because of financial issues.
A news release from Slayton Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center dated April 20 states that the center’s Board of Directors “made the difficult decision to close the Slayton Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center.”
“Today (April 20) is a sad day for the Slayton families, for the Slayton community, for the residents of our care center and for the employees who have cared for so many community members throughout the years,” CEO Avi Katz said in the statement.
The decision to close the care center was made because of a decline in the average daily occupancy in recent years. The news release also cited a trend in demographics of Murray County toward a younger population, which significantly impacts the utilization of the Slayton nursing home.
The closure has been approved by the Minnesota Dept. of Health, which is working with Slayton representatives on relocation plans for the 38 residents who currently reside there; county officials are also involved in the closure plans. Slayton employees, county human services staff and the local long-term care ombudsman will assist residents and family members with the process of choosing new housing and care options.
See this week’s Headlight Herald for more on this article.