THOMASTON, Maine — The Lucette Boarding Home, which has provided assisted care living for residents for 50 years, has closed.
Administrator Brian Holmes said that it had become increasingly difficult to retain and attract employees. He said workers would call out and some would simply not call and not show up to work. He said he and the owner have filled in for shortages but that it turned out not to be a temporary problem.
“If it was temporary we could do it, but it became overwhelming,” Holmes said.
The home spent $7,000 to advertise for workers on Indeed, which he said has been successful in the past. But lately, there are no or few responses to such advertisements.
Lucette’s staff was able to find homes for the 14 residents who remained at the home at the end. The capacity of the house was 18 residents.
He said that the longest resident of Lucette began living there in September 1997. He said it was difficult for some people to move but that they have heard feedback that the residents are happy in their new assisted living homes.
Holmes said the state was prepared to renew Lucette’s license but that the staffing issues and low reimbursement rates from the state led to the decision to close.
But he said the state was constantly clawing back finding money for the services provided at Lucette. He said reimbursement is not sufficient to hire qualified staff.
Lucette provided meals, dispersed the medication to residents, took them to appointments, and personal care services such as laundry.
Lucette opened at 61 Main St. in 1976, but he said it had served in similar capacities under different businesses prior to Lucette. The house has been at the location since the 1800s.
Michelle McLean of Waldoboro is the owner, Holmes is treasurer of the company as well as administrator, and Kristen Lee of Jefferson is listed as a director.
The town has the property valued at $566,300 for tax purposes.
This story appears through a media partnership with Midcoast Villager.