4 nursing homes in danger of closing

Hartford, Conn. (WTNH) - A financial crisis at four state nursing homes means that several hundred residents may be displaced. 

Bishop's Corner Skilled Nursing and Rehab in West Hartford, Rocky Hill Skilled Nursing and Rehab in Rocky Hill, University Skilled Nursing and Rehab in New Haven and Soundview Skilled Nursing and Rehab in West Haven are all in danger of closing.

For the families who thought their aging loved ones had found their final home, it's a time of added stress as detailed in a letter to the judge in the case obtained by News 8. A daughter writes: "If these homes are indeed doomed to close then tell me this your honor, where are we going to put all the residents? I have had my Mom on a waiting list to get her in a home closer to me but unfortunately there just are not any beds to be had."

Tommy Johnson has called the West Hartford facility home for five year. He's ready to move but it's his family that's under stress.

"My daughter, she told me, said, 'Dad, they're closing up, we've got to try to get you out of here," Johnson said.

Francisco Perez has lived here for the past nine months and says the older residents can't deal with the prospects of being moved.  "They're used to this place because they know the doctors, the nurses, the staff," he said. 

"The issue of available beds in the immediate vicinity is very important to the nursing home residents because of the convenience for family members to visit," said Matthew Barrett, CT Assoc. of Health Care Facilities.

Barrett says the court appointed receiver would not call for closing these homes unless beds in nearby homes had been found. In fact, Connecticut's entire nursing home industry is in financial distress. Another home in South Windsor is also in the hands of a court appointed receiver and another in New Haven is in bankruptcy.

Medicaid rates from the state have not been increased since 2007. Governor Dannel Malloy has proposed boosting those rates which could help this situation. The judge in this case has scheduled a hearing Friday to see if anyone is interested in purchasing these facilities. If not, a hearing next week is scheduled to determine when they will close.