Waterbury Gardens Nursing And Rehab is a nursing home located in Connecticut that has experienced significant challenges and transitions in recent years. The facility, housing up to 50 residents, entered state receivership in 2019, meaning it has been operated directly by the state government for several years due to ongoing financial and operational issues. Despite efforts to maintain operations, the nursing home continues to face severe staff shortages, persistent cash flow problems, and deteriorating building conditions. These factors have impacted its ability to provide the quality care its residents need and have placed a substantial financial burden on the state, with operating costs nearing one million dollars each month.
A distinctive aspect of Waterbury Gardens Nursing And Rehab is its specialized care for residents requiring ventilator support and tracheostomy care. With only two facilities in the entire state offering ventilator units, Waterbury Gardens has played a crucial role in serving individuals with complex medical needs. As of August 2023, 28 residents remained, including seven on ventilators and at least three with tracheostomies. This unique population has developed deep bonds with the staff and with each other, considering the facility not only a healthcare provider but a true home—a sentiment echoed by many long-term residents.
Over time, the challenges facing Waterbury Gardens have intensified. The state-appointed receiver, New Haven attorney Katharine Sacks, has reported that keeping the facility open would require approximately three million dollars in capital improvements and a substantial mold remediation project. Ongoing problems include staff shortages due to market conditions and uncertainty about the facility’s future, leading to frequent last-minute call-outs and a dependency on staffing agencies to maintain operations. These disruptions have directly affected the quality of care and have created a stressful environment for both staff and residents.
The future of Waterbury Gardens Nursing And Rehab has been the subject of significant debate. While some residents and staff feel a strong sense of attachment and believe their concerns about closure have not been fully heard, others have already transitioned out of the facility due to declining conditions. Union representatives and some advocates have argued against closure, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a facility with ventilator capacity and proposing its sale to interested nursing home providers. However, state officials, including the Department of Social Services, have determined that Waterbury Gardens is no longer financially sustainable and have recommended closure in line with Connecticut’s broader strategic plan for rebalancing long-term care.
Relocation plans for current residents are being coordinated, ensuring those with special medical needs will have access to similar care at locations such as the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain, Gaylord Rehabilitation Center in Wallingford, and the Village Green of Bristol. Nevertheless, the uncertainty around the timeline for closure and the prospect of leaving a place they consider home has created considerable anxiety among remaining residents, particularly given the specialized care environment and close community that has developed over the years at Waterbury Gardens Nursing And Rehab.