METHUEN — Saying their building is no longer sufficient, officials at Broadway Care and Rehabilitation Center are shutting down, relocating 37 residents and trying to find new jobs for staff.
The nursing home at 281 Broadway will close by Dec. 31, company officials said.
"Due to the center's age, we have determined that we would not be able to update it in a manner that can accommodate our vision for providing quality patient care well into the future," administrator Robin Fortin said in a statement.
SunBridge Healthcare has managed the facility since 1994. The nursing home was originally built by the Tenney family as a private home in historic downtown Methuen in 1879. In June 1953, the mansion was turned into a nursing center. Over the past 56 years, upgrades and additions were made, including the landmark three-story A-frame, Fortin said.
"My team and I remain committed to our residents and their families, therefore, we are working together to offer alternative, appropriate placement at our neighboring care centers located in Lawrence and North Reading or other care centers if the resident chooses," Fortin said.
The center employs 58 people.
"Our hope is to retain as many staff members as possible throughout the transition. They will be given the opportunity to apply for employment at our other SunBridge-operated care centers throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire," Fortin said.
The center filed a discontinuance of services plan with the state Department of Public Health to relocate the 37 residents of the 50-bed home. The plan was approved Oct. 14, company officials said.
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