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Today, I issued a press release on the closing of the Good Samaritan Society Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living facility in Arlington, Minnesota. The release is below for you to read. If you are affected by this closing and have concerns, please don't hesitate to either reach out to my office, or contact the Minnesota Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care at 1-800-657-3591. We're here for you during this stressful time, and want to make sure that those affected are taken care of.
Sincerely,
 Bobbie Harder
Good Samaritan Society Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living Facility in Arlington Closes Due to Staff Shortages
Arlington, Minn. – On June 26, 2024, the Good Samaritan Society Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living Facility in Arlington announced to residents that it will be permanently closing its doors later this year on August 26th. Despite extensive efforts to address staffing challenges, the facility has been unable to secure the necessary qualified personnel to continue operations sustainably.
"Good Samaritan Society - Arlington has experienced persistent and increasing challenges finding qualified, permanent staff to fill critical leadership and caregiving positions," said a representative from the facility. "Over the past year, we’ve pulled staff from other Good Samaritan Society locations across the state to help fill open shifts and have been actively recruiting for a permanent administrator and director of nursing. Unfortunately, we’ve reached a situation that is not sustainable. We deeply care about our residents, who are like family to us, and are committed to helping them find new homes, including at other Good Samaritan Society locations."
Last year, the legislature approved $300 million to help nursing homes across Minnesota. However, this was not a long-term fix for the issues nursing homes are facing. There has been an increase in mandates from the state and federal governments. With the increase of mandates, funding has not been allocated to cover these additional costs. It’s simply too much for nursing homes to continue providing quality care and keep the lights on. There is an urgent need for comprehensive solutions to support these essential facilities. Not only are families needing to find new living arrangements for loved ones, but the closure of the facility also means nearly 35 employees are impacted as well.
Representative Harder said, "This is one more indication that the current direction taken by the State of Minnesota is failing our most vulnerable citizens. We need to invest in our nursing homes, ensure competitive wages for caregivers, and provide the support needed to keep these facilities open and fully staffed. The residents of Good Samaritan Society - Arlington, like all nursing home residents, deserve quality care and stability."
The Good Samaritan Society has said it is committed to assisting residents in finding new homes and supporting staff in pursuing employment opportunities within the organization where possible. Further questions may be directed to Rep. Harder’s Office, or by contacting the Minnesota Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care at 1-800-657-3591.
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