Rural nursing homes struggling to stay open

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Nursing homes in rural Oklahoma towns are struggling to remain open because they don't have enough patients to break even financially. <br/><br/>State nursing home administrators

Saturday, February 11th 2006, 6:36 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Nursing homes in rural Oklahoma towns are struggling to remain open because they don't have enough patients to break even financially.

State nursing home administrators say ten nursing homes have closed in the last 13 months and more may follow as liability insurance costs continue to rise.

The administrator of the Geary Community Nursing Home in Blaine County says the home will close around May First. The home has 67 beds but only 22 residents.

Meanwhile, the Leedey Nursing Center in Dewey County is in dire straits financially, with only 29 residents for its 50 beds. The center has racked up $75,000 of debt in recent months.