The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

Local news

Discussion

September 22, 2009

Helena nursing home slated to close Dec. 20

After operating at a financial loss for over a year, Great Plains Care Center in Helena will close its doors, effective Dec. 20.

The nursing home currently provides care for 22 residents.

“We believe this consolidation is vital to ensuring the viability of long-term care in northwest Oklahoma,” said Doug Maddux, co-owner of Lightning Creek Investments, the group that owns the nursing home. “Difficult decisions must be made in light of the difficult economy.”

Great Plains Care Center employees will receive severance pay in return for their service during the transitional period. Job counseling services to help displaced workers find new employment will be available.

Great Plains Care Center residents have the option of being transitioned, at no extra cost, to Cherokee Manor, in Cherokee. Cherokee Manor currently provides care for 30 and plans to hire additional staff to satisfactorily accommodate arriving residents, Maddux said.

“We truly regret the hardship this transition will cause our employees and residents,” he said. “They’re like family to us, and we are committed to making this difficult shift go as smoothly as possible.”

Text Only
Local news