Nursing home closures and bankruptcies continue in many states, putting pressure on existing nursing homes to take on additional residents even as labor shortages persist and stringent staffing requirements loom.
The latest closure in Pennsylvania led to residents of Mountain View Care and Rehabilitation Center being evacuated and relocated to another facility on Friday. WBRE/WYOU reports that a facility representative blamed the sudden closure on “physical facilities issues,” but did not provide further details.
Zach Shamberg, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Healthcare Association (PHCA), said the closures are very serious and could have a major impact on the health care crisis at facilities across the state.
“It’s extremely difficult for providers to immediately accommodate residents without sufficient staff,” Shamberg told WBRE/WYOU, who has been in contact with PHCA members as many operators figure out next steps for residents and their families.
As of February, the nursing home industry has also seen a worrying increase in sudden facility closures in other states, including New Jersey, Missouri, California and Vermont, again threatening to evict residents or displace them in the future.
A tough economic environment, deep-rooted workforce issues, frequent ownership changes in the industry, complex and punitive investigation processes and penalties, and changing federal regulations are all contributing factors to the closures across the country, leaders said.
Schaumburg noted that nursing home chains have filed for bankruptcy across the state in recent weeks, and the closure of two Pittsburgh facilities was announced ahead of the evacuation in Mountain View.
“If you have a loved one in long-term care, please know that this is a very disturbing trend that we’re seeing in Pennsylvania,” Shamberg explained.
Lakewood Rehabilitation Healthcare Center is one of the facilities that Mountain View has asked to accept residents.
Meanwhile, Atlanta-based Ravi Care Centers, which has nine facilities in Pennsylvania, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection over the weekend. Ravi operates 43 assisted living and senior living facilities in five states. The company has sold more than 90 facilities since the pandemic began and now employs 3,600 staff.
