Five Skyline Healthcare nursing facilities in Massachusetts were officially ordered into receivership Monday and are set to close this month, but staffers and their patients are fighting back.
Certified nurse aides at Bedford Village drew up a petition over the weekend and scores of residents and their guardians have signed, upset with how quickly the process is unfolding. Elizabeth Nelson, a licensed practical nurse at Bedford Village, said the petitions are a way to help console heartbroken residents.
“It’s devastating watching them cry and basically beg that they can stay in their house,” she told the Bedford Standard-Times.
Massachusetts officials revealed last week that Woodridge, NJ-based Skyline had voluntarily surrendered licenses for its five facilities in Dighton, Fall River and New Bedford. The nursing homes have struggled to pay bills and missed payroll more than once. At least 76 Skyline SNFs have been placed into receivership across the U.S., McKnight’s has reported previously.
Court documents said the SNFs will be open for no longer than 60 days. Local TV stations have shared unconfirmed reports that some could shutter as soon as Friday, giving the petition drive little hope for success. More than 200 residents live in the five facilities and require relocation. Receiver KCP Advisory Group said ensuring their safety and well-being is its “utmost priority.”
