LIVERMORE FALLS – A nursing home announced Tuesday it would close on Dec. 1, leaving 86 employees out of work and forcing 46 residents to move.

Management at Parkview Nursing and Rehabilitation Services announced the plan during a meeting with employees, who expressed surprise and dismay.

Lori Boulay, a consultant speaking on behalf of the nursing home, cited government regulations, the facility’s 14 vacancies and a relatively low number of residents paying with private money as reasons for the decision.

Of Parkview’s 46 residents, only six pay privately, while the rest use some form of government support, said Davis Clark, Parkview’s manager.

“This has been seen coming for so many years,” Clark said. “We don’t know how we survived this long. We should have closed three years ago.”

Management made phone calls Tuesday to find beds for the residents, and at the same time asked about jobs for their employees.

As workers left the building, some were crying, hugging and consoling each other.

“It hasn’t really sunk in,” said Lori Slovak, a cook at the nursing home. “I’ve worked here 20 years.”

Relatives of patients also expressed surprise when they pulled into the home’s parking lot and heard the news.

Elaine Ouellette of Jay has five nieces who work at Parkview, and her 95-year-old mother lives there.

“We’ve got to get her into a place,” Ouellette said. “I’m in shock. Oh my Lord, I can’t believe this.”