The largest nursing home in St. Louis closed so abruptly last week, according to the union representing workers there, that 170 people living there were moved to new homes without notifying relatives and staff did not receive their last paycheck.

The Missouri Health and Senior Services Department said in a statement to The Associated Press that it was notified on Friday afternoon of Northview Village’s closure. Lenny Jones, the state director of a union representing workers at the facility, confirmed the closure.

More than 170 residents, who were shuttled overnight to their new homes, left their belongings behind and their relatives weren’t given notice of the move, said Marjorie Moore, executive director for VOYCE, a group in St. Louis that advocates for long-term care residents and their relatives. Mr. Jones also confirmed the movement of the 170 people.

Northview Village’s phone number did not appear to be operating late on Monday evening. And a message could not be left for Healthcare Accounting Services, the company that owns the nursing home, at the number that was listed.

“It really is like a family was torn apart,” said Ms. Moore, adding that they were helping relatives find residents, some who were relocated to at least 14 other facilities in the region. Many of the residents had relied on Medicaid, she said in a phone interview, which had made it even more challenging to find new homes for them.

“These people were certainly not in good health and need a lot of care,” she said. “Its almost like their entire world has been ripped from them.”