Healthcare Facilities across Minnesota face severe challenges with workforce shortages and cash flow difficulties. The Country Place and Crossroads Assisted Living Facilities in Erskine are no exception. Residents and staff were notified on August 4 that the two facilities would no longer operate, closing on or before October 3, 2023.
Resident transition teams are working with the residents and their families to guide them through the relocation process. The skilled care facility, which closed earlier in 2023, was in business for 50 years, and the Country Place and Crossroads have been a part of the Erskine community for over 20 years. Currently, it provides care services for 31 residents and caregiving jobs for 14 staff in the area.
“The top two factors are workforce challenges and lack of adequate reimbursement funds from the state,” said Nancy Jensen, Board Chair of the Pioneer Memorial Care Center. “The state’s funding hasn’t kept up with recent inflation costs.”
This has been a reoccurring issue for long-care facilities around Minnesota. “Everybody is struggling from increased costs that the state’s reimbursements can’t keep up with,” said Jensen. “One of the problems with the workforce is being able to hire a traveling staff, and their wages can be 30-40% higher than what the regular staff gets.”
The Country Place and Crossroads living facilities in Erskine have been housing people for over 60 years, and the facility’s closing has impacted the city. “As a board, we are heartbroken that it has come to this point,” said Jensen. “We are sad because we know it is devastating for a very vulnerable population, but we don’t have a choice.”
In closing, Nancy Jensen gave praise to the 31 residents and 14 staff members that currently serve/reside at the facilities. “We are so grateful for our staff that has been taking great care of our residents,” said Jensen. “They’re still being so supportive of the residents. And we just appreciate them so much. We’re really sad the community has reached this point.”
Tags:
