County officials looking at consultants for Otsego Manor, some residents still not giving up
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: January 10, 2013
Otsego County Officials plan to interview candidates for a consultant when it comes to privatizing the Otsego Manor.
County Treasurer, Dan Crowell says it's possible they could also vote on one.
For one Cooperstown resident, the thought have selling the home has her concerned.
Placing her husband in a nursing home wasn't an easy choice for Patricia Thorpe.
"It's always one of the hardest decisions anyone has to make. After caring for him at home, I realized it was absolutely essential that he be in a facility that could care for him better," said Thorpe.
That facility was the Otsego Manor. Her husband spent over 10 years there before passing away in 2011.
"I know that the care here greatly improved his quality of life," she said.
But Patricia says with the recent plan to privatize the Manor, she's concerned others won't get the same care her husband did.
"This is a very caring environment. How much is that going to change when you have to meet a bottom line?" she said.
Otsego County Treasurer, Dan Crowell says the reason for looking into privatizing the home is due to changes in Medicaid reimbursement rates and taxes.
But, he says quality of care is a big concern on their end, especially when looking for consultants.
"That's the number one priority we want from that consultant. I can only speak for myself but I think I'm speaking for the majority of the board members that if the responses came in with spotty records of quality of care then no, that transaction can't take place," said Crowell.
With some wanting to keep the Manor the way it is, Crowell says they've looked at other options.
But right now, he says energy has been shifted to looking at ways to privatize the home.
With some concerns, Eyewitness News asked Mr. Crowell if he could assure the people that the quality of care wouldn't change.
"No, you can never assure anybody of that unfortunately. You can do a whole lot of work, roll up your sleeves and investigate it and get the highest probability based on prior performance, but no you can't.
County Treasurer, Dan Crowell says it's possible they could also vote on one.
For one Cooperstown resident, the thought have selling the home has her concerned.
Placing her husband in a nursing home wasn't an easy choice for Patricia Thorpe.
"It's always one of the hardest decisions anyone has to make. After caring for him at home, I realized it was absolutely essential that he be in a facility that could care for him better," said Thorpe.
That facility was the Otsego Manor. Her husband spent over 10 years there before passing away in 2011.
"I know that the care here greatly improved his quality of life," she said.
But Patricia says with the recent plan to privatize the Manor, she's concerned others won't get the same care her husband did.
"This is a very caring environment. How much is that going to change when you have to meet a bottom line?" she said.
Otsego County Treasurer, Dan Crowell says the reason for looking into privatizing the home is due to changes in Medicaid reimbursement rates and taxes.
But, he says quality of care is a big concern on their end, especially when looking for consultants.
"That's the number one priority we want from that consultant. I can only speak for myself but I think I'm speaking for the majority of the board members that if the responses came in with spotty records of quality of care then no, that transaction can't take place," said Crowell.
With some wanting to keep the Manor the way it is, Crowell says they've looked at other options.
But right now, he says energy has been shifted to looking at ways to privatize the home.
With some concerns, Eyewitness News asked Mr. Crowell if he could assure the people that the quality of care wouldn't change.
"No, you can never assure anybody of that unfortunately. You can do a whole lot of work, roll up your sleeves and investigate it and get the highest probability based on prior performance, but no you can't.
