Coalition rallys to help nursing home

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A community coalition is rallying to save the last long-term health care center on Buffalo's west side from closing.

News 4 was not allowed in the Waterfront Health Care Center, but we were able to speak to employees and families at this public meeting.

The first meeting since a new coalition formed to save the nursing home on Buffalo's west side.

Jamie Sweat's brother is in a vegetative state in the facility.

"He's a big part of my life and the nursing home is really good to him and it would be devastating to lose the place," said Sweat.

The entire community, including local leaders, are now pleading with state lawmakers to step in. Even Kaleida Health came to this public hearing looking for viable options to keep Waterfront open.

A spokesman says cuts in Medicaid are the reason it may have to close.

"Right now we're subsidizing about $8,000 per patient every year so you know with 160 patients you can add up a loss over a million and a half dollar loss," explained Kaleida Health spokesman Michael Hughes.

For many patients, Waterfront is their home away from home and they're not far from loved ones.

Nancy Conner cares for many of them as their nurse. She worries about the short and long term effects of the closing.

"They're gonna lose their will to live, they're gonna decline in their health, I have patients now who are already crying," said Conner.

Waterfront houses 160 patients.

So where would they go if the nursing home closes?

Hughes said, "We have three other long term care facilities we would focus these residents at."

The state's finances don't leave much hope.

"We have a fight on our hands and I'm not afraid of a fight," said Antoine Thompson.

But hope is all that's left for Jamie Sweat while her brother remains in a vegetative state at Waterfront.

Sweat said, "I have no plans for him at all."