Financial pressure has forced the Titoki Manor rest home in Masterton to close on short notice, putting 35 staff out of work and forcing the 16 residents to find new homes.
The owners announced the sudden closure last week, giving residents only a week to be placed in other suitable care.
The Wairarapa District Health Board was advised by the owner of Titoki Manor, Joanne Steel, of Feilding, that they were unable to continue in business and would cease to provide services on May 31.
Health board planning and funding director Joy Cooper said the owners attributed the shock closure to low residency rates at the rest home.
The 35 staff were notified on Wednesday morning and told they no longer had jobs come this Wednesday.
"It was a very sudden shock for everyone," Mrs Cooper said.
"The first priority is the welfare of the patients and the (DHB) staff have been working on place the patients since then," she said.
"I'm sure there will be some distress and shock at the news, but we have been fortunate that we have found places for them all."
A statement from the owners of the rest home said there were sufficient vacancies in other local aged care residential facilities and they were confident that all 16 residents will be relocated quickly to a facility appropriate to their individual needs.
Over the next few days health board staff will be working very closely with Titoki Manor residents, families and staff to ensure the transition will be as smooth as possible for each resident.
Rest home to shut its doors
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