What Happens When a Nursing Home Closes?

The expansion of alternatives to nursing homes, such as assisted living and residential care facilities, has been financially challenging for the nursing home industry, and every year a small percentage of facilities close their doors. Some homes are also shuttered for safety issues. While there may not be much that can be done to prevent a closure, residents do have some rights.
When a nursing home is closing, it must provide notice to the state and any residents at least 60 days before the closure. The notice must include the following:
• The date of the closure and the reason for closing.
• Information on the plan to relocate residents, including assurances that the nursing home will transfer residents to the most appropriate facility in terms of quality, services and location, taking into consideration the needs, choice and best interests of each resident.
• Information about the resident’s appeal rights.
• The name and address of the state’s long-term care ombudsman.
Once a nursing home announces it is closing, it cannot admit any new patients. For more information from The Consumer Voice on what is required when a nursing home closes, see: http://theconsumervoice.org/uploads/files/issues/2_-_RRF_Information_Card.pdf.
Ms. MacDonald’s practice is limited to Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Administration. Ms. MacDonald maintains her practice in the Santa Clarita Valley at 25115 Avenue Stanford, Suite A-209 in Valencia, California. She can be reached at 661-294-6464.