On Tuesday, December 8, Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh (R,C,I-Ballston) was tipped off that the Saratoga Center for Rehab and Skilled Nursing Care, located at 149 Ballston Avenue in the village of Ballston Spa, has been granted permission by the New York State Department of Health to close.

The facility, which had been previously owned and operated by Saratoga County as “Maplewood Manor,” applied to DOH for permission to shut down.

“I am extremely concerned about the potential closure of the Saratoga Center for Rehab and Skilled Nursing Care, particularly in the midst of the current pandemic, and I am also concerned that I was not formally notified of this issue as one of the facility’s state representatives,” said Walsh. “The impact that COVID-19 has had on nursing home facilities, their patients and staff has been deeply troubling, and situations like this only raise more questions in a time of such continued uncertainty.”

Walsh has reached out to New York State DOH with a series of questions, as well as a request for the department’s letter approving the closure.

“Questions that come to mind include, how many beds are filled at the facility and what type of patient is being served there? If there are long-term patients, what type of plan is in place to ensure a safe and timely transition? Have these changes been properly communicated to the loved ones of those residing there? If so, how much of the transition process will be placed upon them to facilitate?” said Walsh. “Moving a family member during a pandemic, whether in short-term or long-term placement, cannot be done hastily – especially given the conditions we currently face in these facilities.

“I am thankful to have received notice of this situation and look forward to hearing from the Department of Health with their responses in a timely manner.”