Maquoketa wellness center announces closing, displacing dozens of residents

MAQUOKETA, Iowa (KWQC) - Many who enter nursing homes go with the expectation of remaining in their care, but for one nursing home in Iowa, their residents have 60 days to find a new home.

Protestors gathered at Timber City Wellness in Maquoketa Friday afternoon to prevent the center from closing, which would displace over 50 residents and the workers who are currently at this location.

The Maquoketa location is one of six Timber City Wellness facilities in Iowa, according to Timber City Wellness officials.

Rally Organizer, Marguerite Dudock says that her mother stays at the Maquoketa facility and Dudock says her family will be faced with a huge problem if Timber City were to close for good.

“This is the best that I’ve ever found, in fact at one point she was at my home on hospice because the facility she was in was not taking care of her,” Dudock said.

Dudock’s mother is one of the many residents receiving care at Timber City, and she says that she has seen the physical and mental improvements her mother has made while in Timber City’s care.

“We can petition our elected officials to put a stop to the closure of these homes until something is satisfactory both for the residents and for the family members,” said rally supporter Jane Duax.

The group of protesters has a petition created, in hopes to keep Timber City Wellness open, and demonstrate to legislators the need that Maquoketa has for the facility.

As for now, the residents have 60 days to find another suitable facility to move to, but Dudock and Duax are still pushing to keep this center accessible for all.

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