WESTFIELD – The Holyoke Geriatric Authority Board of Directors voted to close the facility on March 7 and Renaissance Manor facilities on Cabot Street in Holyoke and Feeding Hills Road in Westfield have agreed to take on the 71 displaced residents within 45 days of that vote, allowing their families to rest easier knowing their loved ones will remain in the care of trained professionals.
According to Greg Dempsey, executive director of Westfield’s Renaissance Manor facility, the center has taken on five residents to date, with more expected soon.
“We’re unsure at this time how many more we’ll receive, but it’s going to have a positive impact for us,” Dempsey said. “We’re just glad to be able to help out residents that are being displaced and their families.”
Renaissance Manor is one of 32 homes owned by Canadian nursing and rehab corporation Rivera in the United States, and one of three in Massachusetts.
Prior to the facility’s agreement to take on HGA’s soon-to-be displaced clientele, Renaissance Westfield’s Admission and Marketing Director Deborah Sullivan said the facility is generally at capacity with residents.
“Our occupancy rate is usually around 85 percent,” she said, adding that most of the Feeding Hills Road facility’s residents are from Westfield, Southwick, and the hilltowns.
Dempsey stated that he is unsure at this time where these new residents are originally from, but is excited for the opportunity to pick up the slack.
“I’m glad that we’re in a position to help out,” he said. “Even if people aren’t coming here for care, we’re still using our bus to bring people places.”
“We’re just doing what we can to help out,” he said.
