State imposes changes on errant Conn. nursing home

LITCHFIELD, Conn. (AP) — State public health officials will approve a new manager at a Litchfield nursing home that also was fined $2,000 after state inspections found staff prepared inadequate meals and openly referred to residents as monkeys.

In a consent order with the Department of Public Health, Fernwood Rest Home will hire a temporary state-approved manager who must provide an assessment of Fernwood's compliance with state regulations and recommend improvements.

The consent order said meals sometimes consisted only of eggs, cereal, peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches, leftovers and donuts. Residents told inspectors they went hungry.

The state also said administration staff told residents they have to "go shopping to feed the monkeys" and placed a chain across the dining room to "keep the monkeys out."

The manager of Fernwood did not immediately return a call seeking comment.