(8/10) After a month on speculation, Ascension Living, the operators of St.
Catherine’s nursing home, announced it will be closing Nov. 1.
Officially known as St. Joseph’s Place, the facility is owned by the
Daughters of Charity and has been leased to Ascension Living since 2010,
according to George Brenton, provincial director of facilities.
"After thoughtful and prayerful discernment and discussions with the
Daughters of Charity, we have decided to close Ascension Living St. Joseph’s
Place, a skilled nursing and independent living community in Emmitsburg,"
according to a statement released by Ascension Living.
"This transition will help ensure the long-term stability of those options
for older adults in the midst of continuing staffing challenges across the
industry," according to a statement released by Ascension Living.
Ascension Living decided to exit the Emmitsburg area due market survey
finding of an "excess of skilled beds in the general area," Brenton said.
St. Catherine's is located on the same campus as the Basilica of Saint
Elizabeth Ann Seton, as well as next door to the Federal Emergency Management
Agency, the National Emergency Training Center, and the National Fallen Fire
Fighter Memorial, Brenton said.
The nursing facility included short term rehabilitation, long term care as
well as respite and holistic care.
The Daughters of Charity currently make up approximately 20 residents in
skilled care with a total of sixty Sisters within the entire facility,
according to Brenton. Daughters will continue to provide care for their seniors
within the facility, "through another healthcare management company," he said.
Saint Joseph’s Provincial House was originally built in 1964 as a housing
for approximately 400 sisters for what used to be the southeast providence,
according to Brenton. However, with the declining numbers of women joining the
order, in the early 2000s, many of the administrative activities conducted in
Emmitsburg for the Daughters were moved to their St. Louis Provincial House,
and need for the massive facility became problematic. As a result other uses
for the facility were explored.
One wing of the four wing X-shaped facility is currently dedicated to the
Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton which was originally designed as the chapel
for the Daughters.
Another wing is known as Setonville and was converted into low-cost senior
living for Houses for America 10 years ago. A third wing is being rented by
Mount St. Mary’s University for storage. St Catherine’s encompassed the
remaining wing, which the Daughter of Charity are currently exploring other
options for use of.
Emmitsburg Mayor Don Briggs was disappointed to learn of the shutdown. Not
only were approximately 10-15% of the over 100 employees regional to the
Emmitsburg area, but he also found the facility’s town location convenient for
visiting residents, he said.
For the current 140 employees of Ascension Living St. Joseph’s Place, Molly
Gaus, Vice President of Marketing and Communications wrote in an email "we are
in the process of seeking well qualified nurses and staff members, to care for
the senior members but will no longer have the numbers (enough residents) to
retain everyone. As we go through this transition, our top priority will be
taking care of our residents as well as our valued associates. Our team will
coordinate the transition of all current non-Daughters nursing residents to an
appropriate community (nursing homes) of their choice."
Read other articles about Emmitsburg