Princeton Care Center, located in Princeton, New Jersey, recently made headlines when 72 seniors were forced to move out with less than a day's notice. The facility failed to comply with a state law that requires 60 days' notice before closing, citing financial reasons as the main factor for the abrupt shutdown. This left families in a state of panic as they scrambled to find suitable new homes for their loved ones just before Labor Day weekend.
Reports show that the nursing home faced multiple lawsuits related to unpaid bills, including rent owed to the landlord. Additionally, court records revealed that Princeton Care Center owed over $272,000 to a medical supply company. This financial turmoil likely contributed to the facility's inability to make payroll, ultimately leading to its emergency closure.
Princeton Mayor Mark Freda has called on the state health department to reevaluate its policies for emergency closures, emphasizing the need to protect vulnerable residents who may not fully grasp the situation at hand. The Department of Health issued a statement expressing sympathy for the impacted residents and families, outlining steps being taken to address the situation and prevent similar incidents in the future.
When faced with an emergency closure, nursing homes are required to notify residents and relevant authorities promptly. In the case of Princeton Care Center, the facility implemented its emergency plan without providing the necessary notice, leaving residents and their families in a state of uncertainty. The Department of Health and other state agencies have been actively involved in relocating residents to temporary facilities and ensuring their well-being during the transition process.
Despite the challenges faced by residents and their families, efforts are being made to provide them with choices for their permanent homes moving forward. State agencies continue to monitor the situation closely and work towards strengthening the long-term care system to prevent such distressing incidents from occurring again. As the community reflects on the closure of Princeton Care Center, the focus remains on supporting those affected and improving the quality and resiliency of the long-term care system.