FORT WORTH, Texas – Nonna Taggart, a 57-year-old resident of Remarkable Healthcare in Fort Worth, faces uncertainty as the nursing home she has called home for seven years prepares to close its doors on April 18th. With only eight days’ notice, Taggart and roughly 80 other residents were informed of the imminent closure, leaving them scrambling to find new accommodations.

Compliance Issues Lead to Closure

The closure comes after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) notified Remarkable Healthcare of the termination of its Medicare funding due to non-compliance with several requirements. The facility, located at 6649 N. Riverside Drive, was cited for failing to provide quality care and uphold resident rights. This decision follows months of scrutiny, with Remarkable Healthcare being identified as one of the nation’s worst nursing homes for safety and quality in both 2023 and 2024 by CMS.

Residents Speak Out

Taggart voiced concerns about the facility’s shortcomings, citing instances of understaffing and lapses in care, such as delays in responding to call lights and inadequate attention to residents’ needs. Despite these issues, she emphasized the bonds formed with both staff and fellow residents, making the impending separation all the more distressing.

Legal Challenges and Transitional Delays

Attempts to address the situation have been met with legal hurdles. Jon McPike, co-owner of the nursing home, along with the facility’s landlord, KRS Fort Worth LLC, asserted that the closure was unnecessary and accused CMS of failing to consider ongoing ownership transitions. The property was slated for new ownership under Pure Health, but previous bankruptcy filings by Remarkable Healthcare delayed the transition.

State Response and Assistance

Jennifer Ruffcorn, a spokesperson for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, clarified that the state did not initiate the closure but acknowledged CMS’s decision based on the facility’s poor performance. The HHSC Long-term Care Ombudsman’s Office is now actively involved in helping residents find alternative housing arrangements.

Uncertain Future for Residents

As residents face the daunting task of relocating, uncertainty looms over their future. For Taggart and others, the closure represents more than just a change of address; it signifies the loss of a cherished community and support network built over years of residency.

In the midst of this upheaval, residents like Taggart are left grappling with the emotional toll of displacement and the challenge of rebuilding their lives in new surroundings.

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