A not-for-profit corporation is a step closer to purchasing Parker Oaks in Winnebago and two other area nursing homes.
At Wednesday’s Economic Development Authority meeting in Winnebago, City Council member and EDA board member Jean Anderson told the board a deal has been reached between Heartland Senior Living and ElderCare of Minnesota.
“It’s done,” says Anderson. “They are going through an ownership transition right now.”
Early last year, the owners of Parker Oaks announced that the nursing home would be changed to an assisted-living “plus” facility. That sparked the formation of Heartland and efforts to buy the long-term care facility from Jim and Kathy Birchem of Little Falls.
Heartland president Bill Erickson says a purchase agreement has been signed that also includes Parkview Care Center in Wells and Truman Senior Living Inc., in Truman.
“It’s in the works. The pieces are all set, we just have to finish the process and we anticipate that is going to happen,” says Erickson. “It’s a lengthy process and we have a long checklist that has to be done.”
Board members of Heartland have applied for a rural development loan from the USDA to help finance the purchases, but Erickson would not say much how funding has been requested.
Erickson says it’s too early to discuss whether any changes will be made at any of the facilities.
“Our goal has been to continue to provide quality care to seniors and a needed service in the community,” he adds.