Located in New Athens, New Athens Home For The Aged is a nonprofit nursing home that unfortunately faced closure due to a variety of issues, including failed inspections, COVID-19 infections, staff shortages, and management problems. The facility, which had a capacity of 53 beds, was under scrutiny from government oversight agencies and lost funding from Medicaid and Medicare after failing to meet minimum regulatory standards. As a result, residents had to be relocated to other facilities for care, causing significant distress to the board, staff, residents, and the community.
Inspections at New Athens Home For The Aged uncovered various violations and deficiencies, including insufficient staff to attend to resident needs, lack of proper care, and medication administration issues. The facility struggled with leadership turnover, with multiple administrators lacking the necessary licenses to run a nursing home. The board was found to be uninvolved in overseeing the facility, only stepping in when complaints were made by residents or employees. The lack of oversight and accountability contributed to the ongoing challenges faced by the nursing home.
One particular incident that caused alarm was the admission of a new resident who was not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, putting other residents at immediate risk. The failure to test the new resident for COVID-19 and quarantine him accordingly led to an outbreak within the facility, resulting in several residents and staff testing positive for the virus. Tragically, four residents, including the newly-admitted individual, succumbed to COVID-19 or related complications, prompting strict fines from oversight agencies.
Despite efforts to address the issues and improve conditions, New Athens Home For The Aged ultimately had to close its doors, marking a somber end to a facility that had served the community for an extended period. The closure highlighted the challenges faced by nursing homes in providing quality care to residents, particularly in times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of the closure was felt not only by the residents and staff of the facility but also by the surrounding community, underscoring the importance of strong leadership, adherence to regulations, and a commitment to resident well-being in long-term care facilities.