Probe into allegations of unsafe conditions at Rochester nursing home continues

Colonial Hill Center is located on Rochester Hill Road. It has 79 skilled-nursing beds. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - A spokesman for a Rochester nursing home being investigated by the state's DHHS said they have been "proactively communicating with staff and residents" while they continue to wait for the results of the probe.

A DHHS official confirmed on Aug. 13 that the agency is investigating complaints at Colonial Hill Center Rochester nursing home regarding "critically unsafe nursing staff to patient" ratios and sharing of staff between residents quarantined over COVID-19 concerns and the home's general population.

Maureen Dittmar of Farmington, whose 85-year-old mother is a resident at Colonial Hill Center, was one of many who received the three-page typed letter from an anonymous source.

Dittmar said today she visited her mother on Saturday, the day before her 85^th birthday, because visits are only allowed on Wednesdays and Saturdays. She said her mom seemed fine and in good spirits.

She added that the nursing home told her she'd get a letter from them once the results of the investigation were known.

Some of the concerns aired in the letter referenced "a critically unsafe nursing staff to patient" ratio, specifically alleging that often during the 11 p.m.-7 a.m. shift there is just one LNA for 38 residents.

"Many need two staff for basic needs," the letter stated. "Some are classified as having 'high risk' behaviors." The letter also indicated many of those on the same floor have falling tendencies.

Even more serious is the letter's claim that staff often go back and forth between a unit where residents are quarantined over COVID concerns and a general population unit set aside for skilled memory care.

Other complaints include that daily dressings often go unchanged, residents not getting their weekly showers or baths and call bells going unanswered for more than 20 minutes.

Genesis HealthCare, which owns Colonial Hill Center, operates 500 skilled nursing centers and assisted/senior living residences in 34 states.

A spokesperson for Genesis, Lori Mayer, said today that the results of the DHHS probe have not yet been released.

"We reported concerns to DHHS immediately on receiving the letter and are still awaiting results of this investigation," Mayer said. "We have been proactively communicating with staff, residents and responsible parties, and are continuing to interview them regarding any concerns they may have."

Colonial Hill Center, located on Rochester Hill Road, has 79 skilled nursing beds.