With agency’s approval, Hughes rehab set to close after 50 years
The state has granted an application by the owners of Hughes Health and Rehabilitation to close the nursing home that has operated at 29 Highland St. in West Hartford for 50 years.
Nursing home operators need state approval to close and Hughes applied in late March, based on rising health care costs and a trend toward home care that have eroded profits. The skilled nursing home lost more than $1 million over the last year and a half and was operating at about half capacity.
“The decision to close Hughes Health and Rehabilitation, Inc. comes after numerous attempts to revitalize the center’s declining census,” owner Sam Flaxman told residents and their families by letter in late March.
“The declining census as well as staffing needs and excessive cost increases have directly attributed to increased losses not covered by Connecticut’s reimbursement program and the growing trend towards the use of home and community-based services,” he wrote.
Hughes filed a petition with the state Department of Social Services on March 30 to close the 170-bed home.
“The closure of a skilled nursing facility is never easy, especially for the residents,” DSS Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves said Friday. “DSS’ priority is to work with the Long Term Care Ombudsman to ensure that all residents can be placed in suitable housing and that Hughes continues to follow all state regulations and meet residents’ needs while this process moves forward.”
Hughes Health is required to communicate a closure plan to its patients and their families and work with relevant state agencies during the closing process to guarantee a continuum of care. Hughes cannot close the facility and must continue to provide services and care for its residents until all residents have secured and moved to new housing.
DSS’ Money Follows the Person program and the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman will work with Hughes Health, residents, and residents’ families to provide placement and other services during the close-down period. This will include working with families to find alternative nursing facilities or at home care services.
“I understand this is a difficult time for everyone involved, and I want to express my sympathy to all those affected by this news,” Mairead Painter, the state’s LongTerm Care ombudsman said.
“We will ensure that residents’ rights are protected throughout this process. We are committed to providing assistance throughout this transition, including helping residents and family members receive all the information they need to make an informed decision about their future,” Painter said.