Veterans nursing facility reduces wait list, but nearing capacity

The facility’s average admission rate is two or three people a week, which can add up to more than 100 admissions over the course of a year, she said.

“Some people drop off the list for various reasons; either a person may die or get tired of waiting and go somewhere else,” Miles said.

Next week, it’s likely the wait list may trend toward increasing again.

The facility will reach “bed lock,” a nursing term meaning the facility cannot accept any new patients unless a bed becomes open, Miles said.

Donald Harvey, a veteran and resident of Ripley, said the facility is a great place for his brother-in-law, who has Alzheimer’s disease.

“He’s been here over a year and is very happy. The people are very helpful, which is what makes a facility,” he said.

The facility first opened in November 2007 and has slowly been working toward full capacity. Kevin Crickard, administrator for the West Virginia Veterans Nursing Facility, said the facility is on a five-year growth plan.

As the facility began to accept patients, officials had to hire more staff to accommodate the incoming residents and that plan has continued, he said. When considering the wait list, he said the admissions committee will call each person on the list and ask if they would still like to be admitted.

“Time wise, we look at some of the older individuals on the list and referrals. We continuously call people and look at the ones we get no response from,” he said.

This has kept the list as up to date as possible, Crickard said.

“We have been steadily filling units and replacing people when they pass. People are coming in sicker and older now,” Crickard said.

The average wait time is one to two years to be admitted to the facility, but that rate has gone down as the list has decreased. He estimated the current wait time at about six months.

Joan Freeman, LPN at the Alzheimer’s unit at the facility, said there is a great quality of care at the facility and that is the reason so many patients want to get in.

Staff writer Ashlie Walter can be reached at (304) 626-1445 or by email at awalter@theet.com