BARTOW, Fla. — In Polk County, they're calling it a painful decision.
After two decades, commissioners say it’s just too expensive to keep running the county’s owned and operated nursing home called Rohr Home. That means 19 people currently residing there will have to move out by Oct. 1.
The decision came after a presentation showing staffing challenges and skyrocketing expenses, costing the county nearly a million dollars a year to subsidize.
“We're going to be here every step of the way with our caregivers and with our residents and we're going to do whatever is necessary to make this process as seamless as possible,” said Alice Brown, Polk County’s Aging and Social Services Manager.
Rohr Home provides a place for the aged and disabled — many who can't afford care on their own.
“I really hate to see it shut down,” said Billy Whitaker, one of the residents being displaced. “Because, like I say, it's home. The people who live here are all like a family.”
Brown said the county is already working with other facilities in the region that accept Medicaid and they do not expect to have difficulty finding new homes for those being forced out.
Rohr Home also has about 20 employees. The county is working to help place those workers in other jobs.
It's not yet certain what will become of the building itself, but they’re considering either selling the property or possibly converting it to use as a health care facility.