IVANHOE — Leaders at Divine Providence Health Center in Ivanhoe said this week that the long-term care facility will be closing its doors this summer.

In an announcement Thursday, Divine Providence said the target date for closure will be June 1.

The decision will affect only the long-term care facility in Ivanhoe, Divine Providence said. Independent living apartments adjacent to the long-term care center will stay open. However, closing the long-term care center will impact a total of eight residents and 35 employees, Divine Providence said.

There are currently seven independent living apartment units at Divine Providence that will stay open. There are a total of five apartment residents.

The decision to close the nursing home facility came from a few different factors, Divine Providence leadership said in Thursday’s announcement. Staying open was no longer viable, due to low occupancy levels, changes in long-term care trends and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Divine Providence said it is working with Lincoln County and state authorities to follow regulations governing the closure process. Divine Providence is meeting with residents and families to help provide guidance on options for relocating, and residents who relocate within the local area can do so at no cost.

Divine Providence said it is also working with staff to help find job placements or resources to help them during this time.

Divine Providence Health Center has had a long history in the Ivanhoe community. As a medical center, Divine Providence originally had a hospital in addition to the nursing home and independent living apartments. The hospital opened in the 1960s, and closed in 2007.

Avera has provided management assistance services to Divine Providence since the 1980s, said Avera Marshall communications partner Stacy Neubeck.