A nursing home in Trumbull said they intend to close after a major water issue caused extensive damage earlier this year.
All 187 residents at Genesis St. Joseph's Center were safely evacuated and moved to other nursing facilities after a water issue in March.
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WATCH HERE"The safety, care and comfort of our patients is our priority, and while we have made extensive repairs and upgrades to the facility over the course of the past several months, unfortunately the center still requires significant renovations and structural improvements for which we were unable to get the necessary waivers from the state and CMS in order to comply with the required timeline," a spokesperson said in a statement.
The spokesperson said the damage, in addition to other factors including inadequate state Medicaid funding, makes it impossible to continue operating.
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SIGN UP St. Joseph's Center said they will close as soon as they get state approval to do so.
"We are working with the Connecticut Department of Health to develop a closure plan and comply with all requirements. We value our patients, residents, caregivers, and team members, and we are truly grateful for their continued support," the spokesperson said.
In a statement, First Selectman Vicki Tesoro said she has been "very concerned for the health and safety of [St. Joseph's] residents," noting that they've been evacuated from the facility twice in the past few months.
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The first selectman said an attorney for the nursing home sent a letter to the CT Department of Social Services requesting the facility's closure.
Trumbull's director of economic and community development will be in touch with the state Department of Labor to ensure employment services are available to staff that will lose their jobs, Tesoro said.
The exact number of jobs impacted by the closure is unknown.
The state Department of Public Health said the nursing home failed to comply with health and safety requirements after several inspections over the span of the last several months.
St. Joseph's Center was placed on a termination track as a result.
"If the facility does receive permission to close, DPH will ensure the center's closure plan complies with all state regulations and requirements to ensure the health and safety of their residents and staff," a DPH spokesperson said.
"This site has been home to hundreds of residents. Any closure and transition of the property needs to be planned with the utmost care and concern for our community," Tesoro said.
