Nursing facility set to close

BUFFALO, N.Y. (RELEASE) - After years of serving the health and long-term care needs of the elderly and infirmed, St. Francis of Buffalo, a nursing facility operated by Catholic Health, will close its doors.

The facility stopped admitting new residents on November 25 and plans are underway to work with families and guardians to find new homes for the facility's remaining residents, as well as assisting the home's 180 associates in finding new jobs.

Currently there are 109 residents at the facility, which had a capacity of 120.

"In 2009, the facility will lose more than $1.6 million and in 2010 it would have lost more than $2 million," said Christine Kluckhorn, President and CEO of Continuing Care for Catholic Health. "With the escalating cost of operating the facility, St. Francis of Buffalo can no long sustain itself and further investment in the facility is not possible."

The adult daycare health care program on the St. Francis campus, will continue operating.