The Valley View Centre just south of Moose Jaw had four more residents move out into a smaller group home in Saskatoon last month, bringing the total of residents down to 24.

The facility hasn't had any new residents enter since 2002 and it's been winding down its services since then.

Paul Merriman, minister of social services, says before a client is moved, their individual plan is considered.

“We want to sit down and make sure the transition goes as smoothly as possible for the individual, and try to customize their new residence as much as we possibly can for their needs,” said Merriman. “But also look at location for where we want to have those residents live, as well as what’s convenient for the families.

Merriman said there are a lot of factors under consideration as the residents are moved.

“A lot of our clients have been living together for 20-plus years, so this is their family,” he said. “We have to look at who are their so-called Valley View family as well as their paternal family to be able to see if we can keep these individuals together. It does take quite a process but we want to make them first of all comfortable wherever they are, and we want to make sure it works for extended family as well.”

There are builds in various places across the province for the last 24, he said.

When it comes to employment at Valley View, Merriman said there are still 85 full-time equivalent positions, but that the facility will have its last resident move out by the end of this calendar year. Merriman said some have retired and others have moved into working at the care homes as the clients have been moved out.