Life Care Centers of America has announced plans to close Life Care Center of the San Juan Islands in Friday Harbor on Nov. 30.

“Life Care has been forced to face a difficult decision,” explained Todd Fletcher, vice president of western operations for the company. “Due to the difficult economic environment, Life Care is unable to continue operating this facility.”

“The decision has caused a considerable dilemma,” added executive director Janice Fisher, “as we treasure the relationships developed with residents, family members, associates and the community at large since we began operating this facility.”

The Washington State Department of Health and the Department of Social and Health Services have been notified, and Life Care associates are now focused on working with family members to appropriately place each of the facility’s residents. Residents and family members received a list of local care facilities, and Life Care is providing clinical social workers to assist with every discharge to ensure residents are secure and comfortable with the changes.

All of the building’s eligible employees will be offered a severance package and the opportunity to possibly obtain work within other Life Care buildings.

“We are a close team, and this is a difficult situation for our tight-knit community,” said Fletcher. “Life Care Centers of America has more than 200 other locations, and if some of our associates have interest in staying with Life Care, we are happy to try and place them in other buildings.”

Life Care Center of the San Juan Islands has been operating since Sept. 1, 1997.

Founded in 1976, Life Care is a nationwide health care company. With headquarters in Cleveland, Tenn., Life Care operates more than 200 nursing, post-acute and Alzheimer’s centers in 28 states. For more information about Life Care, visit lcca.com.