Northern Arizona Healthcare’s Valley View Care has ceased operations due to a decline in those seeking care at its facilities.
The assisted living home, located at 421 N. Willard St. in Cottonwood, ceased operations April 18 following a decline in the number of residents. At the time of its closure, the home had no residents staying at its facilities.
Valley View Care, operated by Northern Arizona Healthcare, offered end-of-life care to individuals who either lacked the financial resources or the support to remain at their home. It was made up of 10 private rooms, each with its own patio and bathroom. The facility also had a dining room, multiple rooms for socializing with visitors as well as a quiet room intended for “prayer, meditation and reflection.”
Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of patients at Valley View Care, along with the number of referrals to the facility, dramatically decreased. With no residents living at the home, and patient referrals declining to zero, NAH made the decision to cease operations of the facility and take time to determine next steps.
“Ceasing operations at this campus is not an easy decision, but necessary due to changing needs represented in an extensive period of no referrals and ultimately no patients at Valley View Care,” Josh Tinkle, chief operating officer for NAH, said in a statement.
Frank Adamo, director of communications for NAH, said the reason for the decline in residents likely had to do with the pandemic. NAH believes visitor restrictions that were put in place that prevented larger groups from spending final moments with loved ones likely prompted many families to opt to care for their family members at home instead.
“Families appear to be more comfortable having their loved ones cared for and pass away in the comfort of their own home versus transferring to a facility for the last few days or weeks of their lives,” Adamo said.
NAH stated it plans to take this time to reassess the needs of the community and how the facility might better serve patients going forward. The facility will remain under NAH’s ownership, and end-of-life services will continue to be offered in the Verde Valley through other assisted living facilities and partner hospice companies.
Adamo said the decision process will likely take a few months and will involve collaborating with community partners, referral sources and major donors to the facility.
“We are taking this decline in admissions to reassess the community benefit of the facility and reaffirm the community need and demand for this type of facility,” he said. “We anticipate this work will take place over the next 45 to 60 days, at which time we will make the best decision for the community and residents of the Verde Valley on the services and level of services needed moving forward.”
Valley View Care employees have been reassigned to other positions within NAH for the time being and are being offered any additional training as necessary.
For more information, contact Northern Arizona Healthcare at 214-3960, or questions@nahealth.com.
