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Laurel group still hoping to save nursing home
LAUREL – Fundraising pledges continue to grow but are tapering off in an effort to keep nursing home services in the community.
Time is running out as the facility is set to close, with the last resident leaving the facility this week.
A committee of concerned citizens gathered again last week to discuss the imminent closure of city-owned Hillcrest Care Center. The group has been working to form a non-profit organization and collect fundraising pledges with a goal to continue nursing home services under a new name, Cedar Haven of Laurel.
So far, more than $279,000 has been pledged for the cause. The group has an immediate goal to raise $500,000 to open the facility under the new name and $1 million to sustain it for the first few months.
“Some people have been hesitant in making a pledge, saying it doesn’t have a chance, well that’s 100 percent false, without a doubt,” said Scott Rath one of several people spearheading the campaign to keep the nursing home in the community.
The group also discussed progress being made to officially establish the non-profit. They will meet again Thursday, April 10, at the Laurel VFW.
The group had requested a special Laurel City Council meting to discuss ownership transition. Instead of a formal city council meeting, two group representatives met with Mayor Keith Knudsen and City Councilman Chris Hartung Monday, Rath said.
No action could be taken following that gathering, but the nursing home may be addressed at the next council meeting set for Monday, April 14.
In Nebraska, a nursing home can close, and the license and beds can be sold, but the process requires notifying the Department of Health and Human Services and may involve a Certificate of Need to increase or relocate beds.
In order to pursue the transfer of ownership to Cedar Haven of Laurel - or anyone else - the city would have to maintain Hillcrest’s license which results in continuing to pay an administrator and director of nursing even without any residents there.
“You can’t expect them to keep it open, hoping we raise enough money,” Rath said.
Former Hillcrest nurse Wendy Krie said the outlook is bleak.
“The residents are all gone. It’s an empty building now. Staff have moved on to other jobs. What are the chances of us getting back what we had?” she asked. “I still want them to feel hopeful but it’s time for reality.”
