Source: Planet Princeton.com
The only long-term care facility in the municipality of Princeton abruptly closed its this weekend, leaving distressed families scrambling to find new nursing homes for their loved ones on the same day.
The facility, located at 728 Bunn Drive, has been family-owned since 1985 and offered rehabilitation services, hospice, sub-acute care, long-term care, and a cardiac recovery program. The nursing home also had a dedicated wing for South Asian residents.
People had to take the day off or cancel holiday travel plans to rush over to the facility and figure out where their loved ones could go. Families said they were given five places their loved ones could be sent to that are owned or operated by Allaire Health Services, including Morristown Post Acute Rehabilitation & Nursing Center.
Employees at the facility told the reporter they had not been paid this week. They said they were supposed to be paid two days earlier and were owed two weeks of pay. Employees said there was a deal to sell the long-term care facility to another company but it fell through.
Thee administrator for Princeton Care Center, Ezra Bogner, sent an email to residents’ families and staff saying the facility was closed because of money problems. According to public records, the property at 728 Bunn Drive is owned by Princeton LLC. A preliminary search of N.J. court records did not reveal any recent lawsuits regarding rent. No other pending lawsuits against the facility were found in the public court search system.
About 72 people were living at the center as of Friday morning, a state official confirmed.
“This is my home. What will I do without all my friends? Where will I go?” asked one woman who was sitting in a wheelchair outside the facility Friday afternoon. Others tried to comfort her, saying hopefully other residents would be moved to the same place where she was going. Staff members tried to console the woman and promised to visit her.
According to the latest federal data available, as of Aug. 1, Princeton Care Center is owned by Gail Bogner. The facility accepted Medicare and Medicaid patients.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Laurie Facciarossa Brewer told Planet Princeton the state was just as surprised as families were about the abrupt closing. Three staff members from her office were then sent to Princeton Care Center Friday to help families and residents. Staff from her office will be following up with all of the residents after their moves to make sure things are going smoothly at the new homes.
She said what happened at the Princeton Care Center was the worst possible outcome when it comes to moving residents. “This type of move is very traumatic for residents and families and should be avoided at all costs,” she said.