Waterview Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is set to close as the last few residents at the facility were relocated this week.
Lifespan of Greater Rochester announced that the last five residents at the nursing center were discharged to Lilac Manor at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct.. 15.
According to Mary Rose McBride, vice president of marketing and communications for Lifespan, Waterview surrendered its operating certificate to the New York State Department of Health after relocating the residents.
Waterview will also send Lifespan’s Ombudsman program and the Department of Health a final roster of residents discharged from the facility.
Why Waterview Heights is closing
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services terminated Waterview Heights' Medicare and Medicaid provider agreements
in August after being hit for years with several violations, fines and failed inspections.
The termination also comes after the state Department of Health ordered Waterview Heights to pay the full $560,000 fine for failing to do any corrective actions and continue another 60-day hold on admitting new residents.
Waterview Heights was flagged as a special focus facility in December 2023, meaning it was subject to more frequent inspections and penalties because of a history of serious concerns.
The nursing center was set to close on Aug. 25, but the shutdown timeline was repeatedly pushed back as officials tried to find new spots for residents.
— Kerria Weaver works as the Government and You reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle, with a focus on how government actions affect communities and neighborhoods in Rochester and in Monroe County. Get in touch at kweaver@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Final residents leave Waterview Heights ahead of closure
