Elderly facility cites financial woes for closure

Friday, Nov. 26, 1999 | 9:58 a.m.

Staff members of Valley Meadows Care Center said in a statement the facility would close Dec. 23.

Nursing Director Bonnie Carver declined to comment beyond the prepared statement.

The staff said Valley Meadows was "unable to continue to operate due to the financial status of the employee ownership" and that Valley Meadows operators would relinquish their Medicare and Medicaid provider status effective Dec. 23.

The announcement came 12 days after the state banned Valley Meadows from admitting any new residents.

Spot inspections concluded that the facility was providing inadequate care for residents. Deficiencies cited included failure to assess significant weight loss and to complete lab work as ordered by physicians. The facility was facing $500 per day fines until problems were corrected.

Luana Ritch, information officer for the state Health Division Bureau of Licensure and Certification, said there are sufficient beds in other northern Nevada senior care facilities to receive Valley Meadows residents.

She added that it was possible another operator would step forward to become licensed and allow reopening of the facility formerly known as Cottonwood Care Center.