Medicalodges Inc. will close one of its two Arkansas City nursing homes in early spring as part of consolidation brought on by higher operating costs and a decline in the number of residents being served, company officials said Wednesday.
Medicalodges Post Acute and Rehabilitation Center, at 2575 Greenway, will close its doors by March 7. The home’s 35 residents were notified of the closing by letter Tuesday, according to administrator Brett Gerber.
“This will allow us to pool our resources and focus our efforts on providing service at one location,” Gerber said. “With so many care options available in this market we have to use our resources wisely.”
Gerber said Medicalodges’ north Ark City location ? the one that’s closing ? employs about 50 people. Those employees will be able to reapply for jobs at other Medicalodges locations.
“We’re figuring all that out right now,” he said.
Current residents will have to choose another nursing home in which to live. Gerber said his company expects many will relocate to Medicalodges Health Care Center at 203 E. Osage.
That facility has 40 private and eight semi-private rooms available.
That location is being renamed Medicalodges Arkansas City as part of the consolidation.
Marla Nispel, regional vice president for Medicalodges Inc., said the company has seen occupancy at both Ark City facilities make a “steady decline” for the past 10 to 15 years. Much of that is attributed to increased competition in the market, she said.
The company hopes to make a smooth transition into the new consolidated operation.
“Once residents and responsible parties have made their choice for relocation known, the staff at Medicalodges Arkansas City will assist in make the move as smooth as possible,” Nispel said.