Questions Linger in Nursing Home Closure

Residents and town leaders expressed concerns at a hearing held earlier this week concerning the closure of the Clintonville Manor nursing home in North Haven. 

According to the New Haven Register, the meeting with home administrators, the state's Department of Social Services, and Clintonville clients raised questions about the relocation of current residents in the facility, with families expressing concern that such a move would be difficult for their relatives. 

Melissa Simonetti, Clintonville Manor's Administrator who put in a request to the state to close the nursing home in December, cited lack of occupancy, financial losses, and difficulty obtaining Medicaid/Medicare reimbursement as the root causes of the proposed shut-down.

Licensed to house 112 people, Clintonville Manor currently has 84 residents, the Register reported. 

Among those echoing the worries of occupants and their families is State Representative Dave Yaccarino, who has vowed to try and help keep the facility open.

First Selectman Mike Freda, who also attended the meeting, has yet to take a firm position on the issue, but has asked for input from residents regarding the closure. 

A debate on the closure on the North Haven Way boiled down to a question of whether or not relocating Clintonville occupants to Montowese Health and Recreation on Quinnipiac Avenue represented a viable choice for the families of displaced residents. 

Commenters cited issues at both facilities, including neglect and poor management, and noted that any moving of clients would be done responsibly.

Last year, Clintonville Manor was placed on a .

In late 2010, the facility received a 2 out of 5 overall rating from the Deptartment of Health and Human Services, indicating unsatisfactory health inspections, staffing issues, and other problems. 

What are your thoughts on the closure? What are your biggest concerns about relocating residents? And what should town leaders be doing to help?