Local Electeds Take Hard Look at Crown Heights Nursing Home

Following KCP’s exclusive story about dead elderly patients being left to decompose at a Crown Heights Nursing home, Attorney General Letitia James, and Central Brooklyn lawmakers State Sen. Velmanette Montgomery (D) and Assemblywoman Diana Richardson (D) are all launching investigations about the reportedly disturbing conditions at the facility.

The story unfolded when longtime civic activist and Assembly candidate Stefani Zinerman received calls from workers at the Crown Heights Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation (CHC), 810 St. Marks Avenue, that eight elderly dead were left in their rooms inside the nursing facility. The CHC staff also told Zinerman they were concerned about their health because of a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE).

James issued a statement following the story that her office had also received multiple complaints about the alleged conditions at CHC.

 
 
 
 
COMMENTS

Following KCP’s exclusive story about dead elderly patients being left to decompose at a Crown Heights Nursing home, Attorney General Letitia James, and Central Brooklyn lawmakers State Sen. Velmanette Montgomery (D) and Assemblywoman Diana Richardson (D) are all launching investigations about the reportedly disturbing conditions at the facility.

The story unfolded when longtime civic activist and Assembly candidate Stefani Zinerman received calls from workers at the Crown Heights Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation (CHC), 810 St. Marks Avenue, that eight elderly dead were left in their rooms inside the nursing facility. The CHC staff also told Zinerman they were concerned about their health because of a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE).

[Attorney General of NY Letitia James]

New York Attorney General Letitia James

James issued a statement following the story that her office had also received multiple complaints about the alleged conditions at CHC.

“While this is a challenging time for all caretakers, the responsibility to treat elderly and disabled nursing home residents with the care and respect they deserve remains paramount,” said James. “Our office is in contact with management, residents, families of residents, and relevant government partners. We are closely monitoring the situation and will take action, as appropriate, to protect these and other nursing home residents.”

Richardson said that the governor’s office, the attorney general’s office, senate office, and congress members are all working to get to the bottom of the situation at CHC. Richardson said that, as of Saturday, April 11, she received notice that the situation is on its way to remedy or being remedied.

“We as electeds found out only a short while ago about the entirety of this situation which none of us support,” said Richardson. “The seniors of our community are elders we hold dear to our heart for the sacrifice they have provided to pave the way for new generations to thrive. So at no point would we ever want to see them put in harm’s way and or have a state-run nursing home facility neglect their health or neglect to take proper health precautions in terms of moving deceased bodies and notifying the coroner’s office to do so.”

Community liaisons for Montgomery said that constituents reached out to their office as well. The senator was coordinating with the department of health and the nursing home director to make sure the bodies of the deceased individuals were removed.

Families, outspoken staff, and advocates for the nursing home’s residents have long been dissatisfied with the care of the elderly at the facility.

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