ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The closure of Waterview Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Rochester forced more than 160 residents to find new homes, making the local nursing home shortage even worse.
A lack of beds
Now, the lack of available nursing home beds is having a domino effect on area hospitals. When a nursing home bed is not available, patients often stay in hospital beds, which means fewer beds are open for people in the emergency room who need hospital care. At Strong Memorial Hospital, 115 patients no longer require hospital care but cannot be moved because there are no nursing home beds. Another 48 patients are in the same situation at Highland Hospital.
Dean Jordan
Vietnam’s legacy lives on in the very cells of veterans exposed to the horrors of that war. Agent Orange, a potent herbicide, was used to clear the dense forest that provided cover for enemy Viet Cong forces. But American troops had no idea they would fight another enemy years later, diseases caused by exposure to Agent Orange.
Dean Jordan described his recent diagnosis as a slammed door. “It was just recently I got the slammed door,” Jordan said.
Jordan learned in May that he has Parkinson’s disease dementia, likely caused by Agent Orange exposure from the Vietnam War. “It’s like I kind of knew,” Jordan said.
His disease has progressed quickly, and his stepdaughter and granddaughter, who both work, cannot provide the round-the-clock care he now needs. “As you know Deanna with your reporting that the nursing home situation in this community is just off the charts,” said Dawn Ciccolone, a family member.
The shortage of nursing home beds became even more severe after the forced closure of Waterview Heights and the placement of more than 160 residents in other facilities. Now, finding a home is even harder. “It’s just really a frustrating, frustrating process,” Ciccolone said.
Jordan was admitted to Highland Hospital for observation on Oct. 9 and no longer needs hospital care, but he has been waiting for almost a month for a nursing home bed. The only available option is Maple City Rehabilitation and Nursing in Hornell, more than an hour away. Maple City is a one-star facility that was previously managed by the same company that operated Waterview Heights, which the family finds unacceptable.
“How many other families are in our same situation? And at what point does this elevate those in authority to do more about this situation?” said Ciccolone.
Jordan should qualify for a VA facility, but his family said that process is now tied up in red tape. His family says he fought for his country and now they’re fighting for him. Nearly 165 families at URMC hospitals are also waiting for a nursing home bed.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
Deanna has extensively investigated the conditions at Waterview Heights and been following this story. She recently won a New York Emmy Award in the Health/Medical News category for her coverage.
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Over 200 workers are being laid off as Waterview Heights closes News10NBC Investigates: Over 70 residents remain at Waterview Heights, still needing new placements Consumer Investigation: Waterview resident said he’s kicked out without notice, left homeless News10NBC Investigates: Waterview’s plan to find beds for more than 160 residents News10NBC Investigates: Going inside nursing homes to see whether they’re following transparency laws Investigates: Exclusive video inside Waterview Heights sheds light on resident’s fall from window Consumer Investigation: 5 of the worst-rated nursing homes in Monroe County overdue for state inspections Consumer Investigation: Waterview Heights closure forces more than 160 residents to find new care placements Consumer Investigation: Inspection raises questions about deaths of 4 residents News10NBC Investigation: Allegations of neglect at Waterview Heights Nursing HomeNews10NBC Investigates: 115 Strong patients, 48 Highland patients wait for beds after Waterview Heights closure WHEC.com.
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