Citing an oversupply of nursing home beds in the region, the state Department of Social Services Tuesday agreed that the Wethersfield Health Care Center should close.
This oversupply of nursing home beds made it impossible for Wethersfield Health Care Center — which has 210 beds — to attract enough residents to continue operations, and still be financially viable, DSS said.
“We deeply regret the effect that this will have on our residents and employees,” said Lisa Crutchfield, spokesperson for the health care center. “We know that our Health Care Center has been home for them, and that this transition will disrupt their lives. We will work with our residents’ families, physicians and caregivers to make the transition to a new home as easy as possible for them.”
“We also recognize the impact this has on our many dedicated employees,” added Crutchfield. “We thank them for their years of service and caring for our residents and patients.”
Many residents left the nursing facility after the operator’s announcement last year that it was seeking to close. The numbers were down from 182 last fall to 92 in March. Currently, the 66 residents remaining at the facility are seeking relocation.
“The state and the facility will do everything possible to ensure a smooth transition of residents to other nursing facilities or community living arrangements,” said David Dearborn, the DSS’ communications director.