Move To Close Manchester Nursing Home Begs The Question ... Now What?

MANCHESTER, CT — Monday's announcement that Manchester nursing home has filed a petition to close with the Connecticut Department of Social Services leaves north central Connecticut residents with a perplexing question ...

Now what?

Both Savannah Ragali, the director of marketing and communications for Athena Health Care Systems and Connecticut Department of Social Services spokesman Giovanni Pinto were adamant that they can't say much when contacted by Patch because of a 30-day window in which a ruling can be made.

It's also very complicated, Pinto said.

Athena Health Care Systems cited costs as the reason to shut down Crestfield Rehabilitation Center and Fenwood Manor at 565 Vernon St. in Manchester.

The facility is also in need of repairs in addition to losing money, according to the filing.

Athena purchased Crestfield Rehabilitation and Fenwood Manor in 2018, but now is saying the facility is just not sustainable.

So why DSS?

Pinto said the petition to close must be filed with DSS, which handles the financial end of things. The state Department of Public Health takes care of the rest, including licensing nursing homes and certifies the homes for participation in the Medicaid program.

Both Pinto and Ragali said the process prohibits them from even offering a guess as to what the petitions outcome might be.

If the petition to close is granted, Pinto said the state's long term care ombudsman will step in and assist families to find a facility within 15 miles of the Manchester nursing home.

"The state would try to relocate residents with the least amount of disruption," Pinto said.

DPH would also review and sale and its impact on the residents, he added.