CALAIS, Maine — The Portland-based firm that owns the only licensed nursing home in Calais has announced that the Atlantic Rehabilitation and Nursing Center will close on Friday, July 6.
Closure seemed inevitable to residents of the 52-bed facility and their families after Portland-based First Atlantic Healthcare twice received permission from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to shut it down.
Mothballing the facility is costing 92 workers their jobs and has left families scrambling to find new placements amid a chronic shortage of nursing homes throughout Washington County.
Calais City Manager Diane Barnes said Tuesday there are no meetings scheduled with First Atlantic to discuss the costs and benefits of a transfer of ownership to the city that might allow the facility to remain operational.
First Atlantic Healthcare CEO Kenneth Bowden has suggested the city consider buying and running the facility. State reimbursement rates for nonprofit entities that operate nursing homes are higher than rates for private-sector firms like his, Bowden said at a public hearing held in response to the city appealing the state’s approval of shutting down the facility.
At that same hearing, Bowden said the facility would remain operational until all residents had pinned down new placements.
“If we get to the point where closure is necessary, we will stay open until appropriate placements have been found for those involved,” Bowden said during the April 5 hearing at the Washington County Community College.
How that promise squares with the announcement that the doors will be locked on July 6 remains unclear. Multiple calls on Tuesday to Bowden’s office in Portland were not returned.
In its short press statement announcing the July 6 closure date, First Atlantic cited a “dramatic decline in census” and “recently recorded operating deficits” as the reasons for closure.
That press statement also said the facility’s management is “helping families with placement in other area nursing facilities.” The statement says management is “planning to assist employees by maintaining an open positions listing throughout the closure process,” which would make those who lose their jobs aware of openings at other First Atlantic facilities.
Traci Place, a business agent with Teamsters Local 340, said Tuesday her union represents about half of the 92 workers who are losing their jobs.
“It’s been a mixed bag of responses,” Place said. “A number of people found positions elsewhere, either at the local hospital or at the [nursing home] facility in Eastport. Some have decided to go back to school.
“In general, jobs are few and far between and are not in the area. While it’s not impossible to find a new job, it’s very difficult.”
Nursing home care is oftentimes very necessary and to have to move your loved one far away from their home base and all that is familiar when they are most vulnerable is a rotten shame.
“In general, jobs are few and far between and are not in the area. While it’s not impossible to find a new job, it’s very difficult.”It IS nearly impossible.
At this time I would like to send my thanks to the many people who have given of themselves in the care of the many residents of the nursing home in Calais. You cared for my father until his passing and I was and still am grateful. May God bless you all.
Thank you for your very kind comments patom1. So much appreciated.
This is a 100 percent financial decision. Nobody in there right mind would continue to operate a business that does not make or in these cases can loose money. The nursing union insurance and lack of support from those families of the residents are all issues.
I believe in my heart that from the time First Atlantic took over the nursing home that they had plans to milk it till it was dry, then to take the beds out of Washington County and move them to a more affluent part of the state. You are right in that it was a financial decision. Cold blooded and heartless would also be an apt description.
Yes you are exactly right on the $ with this statement. First Atlantic plans everything ahead of time for the “old $” they should be ashaimed of themselves taking advantage of nursing homes and their residents and DHHS is also to blaime for allowing this to go on considering this company has done this before in the past- and yes First Atlantic I hope your reading all of these comments because your a pathetic excuse of a business!
I think it should known that First Atlantic would not let us except new admits from Jan on, thats why the decline in residents, also I feel that the big guys should be at Alantic rehab watching these residents leaving for there new homes, they may see somthing besides dollar signs , and a little of the human side of things. kitkat
I think it’s time the public knows the reason the decline of residents was because we were told not except any new residents in Jan. I also feel that the big guys from First Atlantic and Mary Meyhew should be at Alantic Rehab, and watch our residents leave for there new homes. The looks of bewilderment on there faces, it somthing I will never forget. They may see the human side of all this and not just $ signs. Shame on them