The ownership of Good Shepherd Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Jaffrey is changing hands from a Catholic nonprofit organization to a private company.
Catholic Charities New Hampshire announced Thursday that it has executed an asset purchase agreement for the sale of the rehabilitation and nursing center to MED Healthcare Partners, who operate more than 100 nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities throughout the United States.
“The product is good – the nursing home is good and the employees are good. We feel that the care and facility is good, we just want to be able to market it better,” President and CEO of MED Healthcare Partners Mordy Lahasky said, in an interview Monday.
Lahasky said there are no plans to eliminate any staff or religious elements – such as daily mass – currently present at the Jaffrey facility.
“We try to adapt to the facility,” Lahasky said. “They asked us if we would continue the services. Besides the fact that it’s what they are known for, that’s what at least some people go there for. We have to keep the religious services.”
Instead, Lahasky said the plan will be to assess the needs of the facility and the community.
“We met with staff already, and when we are closer to the sale we will meet with the residents and their family so no one is nervous,” Lahasky said. “… we have to take care of their physical needs, but also their emotional needs.”
Good Shepherd has been owned by Catholic Charities New Hampshire since 1990.
Lahasky said marketing Good Shepherd to fill open slots at the rehabilitation and nursing center will also be a priority. The center currently fluctuates between 40 and 50 residents out of a maximum capacity of 83.
The deal between MED and Catholic Charities New Hampshire has been in the works since February 2018 and it will be at least 90 days before the purchase is completed, Lahasky said.
“Caring for seniors in our communities has long been an important part of the mission of Catholic Charities,” said Thomas Blonski, president and CEO of CCNH, in a press release Thursday. “CCNH sought a company that would preserve the same level of care Good Shepherd clients receive today, including maintaining the 100 current staff members known for providing a high level of personalized and compassionate care.”
Blonski said in a follow-up email on Monday that Catholic Charities New Hampshire is continually evolving how their short- and long-term programs adapt with the demands of the communities they serve, and that they strive to meet the unique needs of seniors. through “compassionate and person-centered care.”
“This was not a decision we took lightly – in fact, we agreed we would only do this if we found a like-minded organization we trust to carry on our values, resident-first culture and high standard of quality care. MED Healthcare Partnership LLC is just that,” Blonski said.
Catholic Charities New Hampshire also announced Thursday that subsequent to the sale, they will commit $1 million in resources – in the form of a trust – to provide an annual distribution to fund services and to care for seniors throughout the Monadnock Region.
Details about the trust were not readily available on Monday, according to Michael McDonough, the executive director of marketing and communications for Catholic Charities New Hampshire.
McDonough said there will be another announcement in the coming weeks to detail the organization’s plan with the trust.
Nicholas Handy can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 235 or nhandy@ledgertranscript.com.