Friendship Villa, a nursing home located in Miles City, recently announced its closure, becoming the 12th senior care facility to shut down in Montana in 2022. This closure has left 36 residents and many loyal employees stranded, with long-time staff members like former employee Kyle Wolff expressing their sadness over the end of an era. Wolff, who worked at Friendship Villa for 34 years, highlighted the strong bond between staff and residents, emphasizing the exemplary care provided by the facility.
The closure of Friendship Villa, like many other nursing homes in Montana, can be attributed to two main reasons. The first is inadequate Medicaid reimbursement rates set by the state legislature, which have made it challenging for facilities to stay financially afloat. The second reason is the severe shortage of nursing home staff statewide, posing significant operational difficulties for care facilities. As a result, many nursing homes, including Friendship Villa, have been forced to close their doors.
Despite the challenges facing the senior care industry in Montana, there is hope for positive change on the horizon. Gov. Greg Gianforte's proposed budget includes additional funding to supplement Medicaid payments for nursing home stays, which could potentially alleviate some financial burdens for facilities like Friendship Villa. Additionally, a proposed bill before the Montana Legislature aims to increase reimbursement rates for nursing homes, potentially providing much-needed support to struggling facilities in rural communities.
As the community mourns the closure of Friendship Villa, former employee Kyle Wolff remains hopeful that other nursing homes in rural areas will not have to face the same fate. While it is too late for Friendship Villa, there is optimism that legislative efforts and increased funding could help sustain and strengthen the senior care industry in Montana. The dedication and compassion of caregivers like those at Friendship Villa serve as a reminder of the importance of quality long-term care for elderly residents in the state.