Residents relocate after Westwood closes in Troup

Residents of Westwood Convalescent Home in Troup have all been relocated, and the facility is expected to officially close in mid-January, if not before, according to Melody Chatelle, a spokesperson for Touchstone Communities, owner of the nursing home.

Families of the residents received the unexpected news just a few weeks before Christmas. According to one Troup woman, she was notified by a letter left on her mother's bed after they had spent the day together. She received a phone call from the director of nurses the next morning.

"The reason (for closing) was to really allow the facility to become a new facility and be relocated in a different part of Smith County probably," said Chatelle. "The operators wanted a chance to focus on a brand-new facility for Smith County."

Touchstone has been the owner of Westwood since Aug. 3, 2006, although the home has been in Troup for more than 30 years. Westwood had 32 residents at the time of closing and a capacity for 64.

Chatelle said staff members assisted families with relocating their loved ones, working with them individually based on their needs and wishes.