(WSBT) The state says a local nursing home has been putting patient safety at risk.

It's shutting down Dowagiac Nursing Home, but some family members with loved ones there are upset about the decision.

The Michigan Department of Community Health filed an emergency revocation of the owner John Hupp and Associates’ license last Thursday.

The state is now managing the nursing home.

It held two meetings for families Tuesday to explain what’s going on and what their options are for care.

“I brought my husband here. I want him here. I want him to stay here, but I see that's not a possibility,” said Georgianna Wixson.

Wixson's husband is one of more than 100 people at the Dowagiac Nursing Home who has to find a new place to live.

“A lot of the people that’s been living here a long time are going to have to go a long ways away from here,” said Steve Adams, whose father also lives at the home.

During the state's annual inspection, officials say they found more than 20 violations of state and federal laws.

It included failing to do criminal background checks on employees and failing to provide life sustaining treatment despite a patient's wishes.

The state says the home is also more than $2 million in debt, and the bank was holding Medicare money to pay it off.

Plus, the state says they’ve had problems with the nursing home in the past. Complaints included concerns over the quality of care, mistreatment of patients and resident rights.

Rita Baker's husband has lived at the home for seven years.

“The girls, the nurses, they are so good to him. If there was abuse going on in this building, I would know. I’m here everyday,” commented Baker.

She says she now fears for her husband’s future.

“They want to send him so far away that my husband told me that if they send him far away, he's going to go right up there,” said Baker as she pointed to the sky.

“He can't live without us,” she added.

WSBT was not able to reach the owner, John Hupp.

There are also about 150 people who work at the nursing home.

The state says it typically takes about 30 days to shut down a home, and it will keep it fully staffed until that happens.

Dowagiac Nursing Home Inspections