Linn Health is a community treasure that must remain open

"Linn Health only needs $1.2M to keep its doors open. They applied to the state to get emergency funding to stay open but their request was denied..."

Linn Health & Rehabilitation is a special place. It was started as the dream of a Methodist minister who happened to be the District Superintendent of our local church community.

We were asked as parishioners to pledge each month to turn a vacant lot into a visionary retirement community that allowed each resident to arrive and live independently and transition slowly into higher levels of care and support. The plan was not just for Methodists. Anyone could come to the center and join a community that provided dignity, compassion, and comfort until the end of their lives. 

Since the beginning, my family has been a part of this community. My mother’s sisters were Linn’s original residents at ages 69 and 70. Linn became a second home to us. We were very involved in our church fellowship and would sing to residents with our choir before meals. Later, I was asked by Linn’s founder to serve on the board of trustees which I proudly did for over a decade. Since 2019, my brother George has lived at Linn in the skilled nursing unit and I currently live on an independent living floor.

Throughout the years, there has been a lot of transition at Linn but one thing has stayed the same; the care and concern for the residents and staff. It is like a family. Many of the residents there have lived beyond the age of 100. This is a testament to the quality of their life made possible first and foremost by the staff who go above and beyond every day for their care. It is also a testament to management who treats both staff and residents with respect. During the pandemic, when my brother George was feeling down, the Administrator made a point to check in on him to lift his spirits. Workers at Linn have a union and have been able to negotiate good wages, staffing, and benefits. One of the workers I know had open heart surgery and management held her position for six months. 

It is for these reasons we have been recently voted one of the best nursing homes in the country. It is for these same reasons you can imagine our shock to be told that Linn Health is closing its doors for good in July.

We were aware that Linn was losing money. We all banded together and tried all we could to keep our home afloat. We tried a few bake sales to raise funds with even the residents contributing. One resident who was 104 helped with the batter. 

Linn Health only needs $1.2M to keep its doors open. They applied to the state to get emergency funding to stay open but their request was denied. What is particularly heartbreaking is that we heard recently that the McKee Administration is giving the nursing home industry almost $80 million starting in July. Don't give the nursing home industry a lump sum. There needs to be a plan for how it will be distributed so that the staff will have what they need to take care of themselves. If these funds are available and are being voted on in June, why can't our elected leaders intervene to keep Linn open? 

We are all in a state of shock and can’t believe this is happening. It just doesn't make sense and what’s worse, is completely preventable. The people who founded Linn would be rolling over in their graves. 

Now all the nursing home residents are being forced to look for other nursing homes, including my brother George. One of my dear friends was moved out recently to another facility; everyone was crying when she left. We have no guarantees that the facilities where all these precious souls are moving to are not going to close as well. 

At 80 years old, my brother, George, is feeling very uncertain about the move. And who could blame him? A move is hard on anyone, never mind someone in their 80s with no assurances that his new home will be a good one. And equally bad, all the dedicated staff are going to be out of a job.

None of us are going to find another Linn. It is a shining gem among Rhode Island’s nursing homes, most of which are owned by corporate chains. Unless Linn gets a windfall between now and July, their doors will shut forever and that is a true tragedy. We hold out hope that an intervention is possible but we need our elected leaders to wake up and understand what is at stake. There is still time to do the right thing.

Marjorie Davis has been a pediatric nurse for over 40 years and currently resides at Winslow Gardens, part of the Aldersbridge Community.