Tarentum Nursing Home's Sudden Closure Displaces Elderly Residents
TARENTUM (KDKA) -- It's a cold night to have dozens of elderly people moving to new homes, but that's exactly what's happening after a surprising call to have everyone out of a personal care home by Friday.
Some residents were getting on a van Thursday evening outside the Allegheny Valley Residence in Tarentum, heading to a new care home.
Twenty-eight residents remain overnight, down from the 46 that normally live there.
Everyone had been warned that the home was going to close, but they got letters recently saying they still had 30 days. However, management at the home says they got a call from the owners on Thursday telling them to get everyone out now. No explanation was offered.
"Furious! Absolutely furious," said Bill Bailey, whose mother-in-law lives in the home. "I can't believe they treat these people as equipment, commodities that you can just shut down."
Lorraine Kennedy's mom is at the home.
"I can't believe there's going to be subzero temperatures, and these people are trying to find a home," said Kennedy. "They're putting them on vans and just shipping them off."
Mona Lohle is trying to help management find new homes for the residents.
"I'm very distraught that we have to move people in their 80's and 90's, and we have a lady here who is 100-years-old, and we're moving them in this kind of condition," said Lohle.
Nearly all of the 26 employees are expected to lose their jobs.
"It's been very hard, very hard. Sad," said Josie Linardi, a long-time employee. "It's a family here. Yes, it's a family big family."
There were many hugs and tears Thursday evening. Residents' belongings had been hastily packed into garbage bags and laundry baskets so they could leave in hurry.
Some of the residents have been placed at The Palms at O'Neil in White Oak.
Some residents are confused about why they have to leave.
As for why this happening so fast, the home is owned by Infinity Management in the Scranton area. KDKA-TV was unable to reach anyone there Thursday evening.
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