NEW CASTLE Commissioners consider options for nursing home

Hill View Manor's population is dropping, commissioners said.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County commissioners want to keep their options open when it comes to the county nursing home, Hill View Manor.
Last week commissioners decided to ask a firm for a proposal to take over management of the nursing home. On Tuesday, one county commissioner said he's interested in selling it to a private owner.
"I think we ought to look at everything. Someone may come in and offer to buy it," Commissioner Roger DeCarbo said.
Commissioners are concerned about the drop in population at the county home, located on Pa. Route 65 in Shenango Township.
The population last week had dipped to 84 patients in the 136-bed facility, said Commissioner Brian Burick.
Burick said he's open to looking at all of the county's options for the nursing home, including turning it over to a management company or selling it.
"Right now it's more challenging than ever to staff any health-care facility. It would make sense to entertain all of our options right now," he said.
In the county's interest
Burick noted that running the home shouldn't interfere with other county operations.
"Ultimately, we are going to have to decide what's in the best interest for the county as a whole," he said.
Commissioner Ed Fosnaught said he is interested in hiring a nursing home management company but not selling Hill View Manor.
"I think we have a responsibility to the people who live there and to the people who work there. One of the goals is to provide good care and not squander taxpayers' money. When we had [the management company], we were doing that," he said.
Fosnaught also suggested they sign a contract with a nursing home management firm that extends past the next election to ensure the nursing home doesn't become a political issue.
Fosnaught said he wants to return management to the Complete Health Care Resource, formerly Complete Care Services.
The company operated the nursing home for six years before the commissioners ended the management contract in 2001 and took control of Hill View Manor.