11 Iowa nursing homes have closed in recent months | State and regional news [Video]

Erin MurphyJournal Des Moines Bureau

JOHNSTON — Nearly a dozen nursing homes in Iowa, including three in Siouxland, have closed since late last year, largely due to financial stress from inflation, supply chain issues and workforce shortages, the leader of a statewide health care organization said Friday.

While many businesses and industries are facing those same pressures, Brent Willett, president and CEO of the Iowa Health Care Association, said nursing homes cannot respond to those pressures in the same way other businesses can.

Because of that lack of flexibility, many nursing homes, especially in rural areas, face closing, Willett said.

Willett made the comments Friday during taping of this weekend’s episode of “Iowa Press” on Iowa PBS. He was joined on the program by Di Findley, executive director of Iowa CareGivers.

According to the Iowa Health Care Association, the Siouxland nursing homes which have closed recently include Touchstone Healthcare Community in Sioux City, Morningside Care …