One of the area’s largest senior care providers said it’s “standing by” to assist Lutheran Social Services after the organization announced it was closing its nursing home and rehabilitation program in Jamestown.

“Our hearts are with Lutheran, its staff and residents,” Heritage Ministries CEO Lisa Haglund said. “Lutheran is faced with the same challenges we all face in New York state – insufficient reimbursement and excessive regulatory reform without support.”

She added, “Heritage is standing by LSS and our hospital system to ensure continuity of care for residents and provide comprehensive support to employees and families. We are dedicated to minimizing disruptions and maintaining the highest quality of care that the community has come to expect.”

On Wednesday, Lutheran said it will shut down its nursing home and rehabilitation program by the first week of January 2024, a move that will impact 49 residents and 106 full- and part-time positions. Lutheran first began offering care to elderly residents in 1930 before expanding offerings at its 715 Falconer St. campus in Jamestown.

Heritage told The Post-Journal that it has the capacity to support Lutheran residents and staff.

“We will work closely with the county, Lutheran and Department of Health to ensure we support our community and those seniors we are called to serve,” the organization said. “With Lutheran no longer providing skilled nursing services, Heritage is ready and able to support the additional volume anticipated by this change, for now and in the long term.”

Lutheran is not alone in what has been a tumultuous period for skilled nursing. Heritage, which has several locations in Chautauqua County, announced over the summer it was restructuring its organization due to financial struggles that were compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response to Lutheran’s announcement this week, Heritage said it “remains confident in the steps it has taken to ensure the future for our residents in our core market of New York and Pennsylvania.”

Part of Heritage’s restructuring plan was to end management service agreements in the states of Washington and Illinois. Those moves are expected to be completed by the end of the year, the nonprofit said.

“By focusing on our core market and mission, we plan to support Chautauqua County for years to come,” Heritage said. “This won’t come without challenges, as Lutheran, Cambridge Warren Senior Living, and UPMC Chautauqua have shown. But, as one of the largest employers in Chautauqua County and now the sole provider of skilled nursing services, we need support from the community, Gov. Hochul and local leaders to provide the services our employees and the seniors across the county deserve.”

On Friday, it was announced that Cambridge Warren was closing by the end of the year.

The Rouse Estate, a competing care facility, released the following statement: “With great sympathy, the Rouse would like to address the news of the closure of Cambridge Warren Senior Living, effective December 31. As a fellow provider in the long-term care community, we recognize the challenges and emotions associated with such decisions and the impact they will have on residents, their families, and the dedicated staff.”

Heritage said it has experienced similar staffing shortages to those experienced nationally following the COVID-19 pandemic. Heritage is considered one of the largest employers in Chautauqua County, with 622 workers at its skilled nursing facilities in New York and Pennsylvania and 810 workers at all of its sites.

“As the primary provider of skilled nursing and rehabilitation services in Chautauqua County, we welcome seniors and those who serve them in every stage of life,” Heritage said this week. “We continue to provide comprehensive solutions and access to quality care, advocacy for seniors to ensure their voices are heard, and commitment to our mission of promoting Hope, Dignity, and Purposeful Living to those whom we serve. Serving over 1,200 seniors and remaining one of the largest employers in our county, Heritage asked for continued support during these trying times.”