Bennington facility to care for those with challenging needs
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The former Bennington Health and Rehabilitation Center off Dewey Street was officially sold Wednesday and is now part of the iCare Health Network.
As announced in the spring, the nursing home is transitioning to a skilled nursing, long-term care facility for people with complex needs who are often difficult to place in a facility. It will now be called MissionCare at Bennington.
Jessica DeRing, director of operations of MissionCare Health, said Thursday, “We assumed the operation at Bennington Health and Rehab this morning at 12:01 a.m. and clocked in the 11-7 shift staff as iCare/MissionCare employees. They were very energized on both shifts so far and there is definitely a sense of relief, hope and excitement.”
She said all 47 current staff members have elected to become employees of MissionCare at Bennington.
Other facilities
The Connecticut-based iCare Health Network operates a network of several nursing facilities, including two others caring for people with needs beyond what a normal nursing home typically serves.
iCare Health was selected last fall after a request for proposal process to contract with the state of Vermont Department of Disabilities Aging and Independent Living to create such a facility in the Vermont. After a search for a location, the provider focused on purchasing the Bennington nursing home, then owned by Genesis HealthCare, which was for sale.
The property purchase price, which had not been recorded with the town as of Thursday, was not immediately disclosed.