Toolsview all


Whispering Pines Nursing Center's closing leaves many in shock

 
BY ANN KELLEY | Modified: February 16, 2009 at 6:15 pm | Published: February 13, 2009    Comment on this article Leave a comment

NORMAN — Residents of Whispering Pines Nursing Center and their families say that closing the home is not in their best interest.

As of Thursday, the nursing home at 501 E Robinson lost its certification to receive Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements due to deficiencies in care found by state inspectors. The home will be shut down within 30 days, and its 128 residents will have to relocate.

photo - Whispering Pines Nursing Center in Norman on Nov. 18. Archive Photo By Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
Whispering Pines Nursing Center in Norman on Nov. 18. Archive Photo By Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

Multimedia

NewsOK Related Articles

"It’s not right,” James Young, 72, of Oklahoma City said. "My wife gets excellent care here. When I heard it was going to have to close my stomach dropped — I couldn’t believe it.”

Anna Young, 73, said she’s lived there for more than two years and doesn’t want to move.

Residents, frustrated family members and teary-eyed staff filled the center’s dining room Thursday for an informal meeting to discuss what will happen next.

Representatives from the state Health Department, Adult Protective Services and other advocacy groups were there to address concerns and offer a list of 60 other nursing homes in the five-county area.

Whispering Pines nurse Tracy Cody has worked there for 14 years. She said her only concern is for her displaced patients.

"I’ll find another job, because there’s always work for nurses,” Cody said. "This is home for them and leaving it won’t be easy.

Page 1 of 2

Toolsview all





Leave a Comment

Thank you for joining our conversation on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussion but ask that you stay within the bounds of our commenting and posting policy. Please help by flagging comments that violate these guidelines. Posts that contain obscene or vulgar language will be immediately flagged and not posted.

If you prefer your thoughts to appear in The Oklahoman, we encourage you to submit a letter to the editor.

Would you like to leave a comment?

Log in or sign up (it's free).

comments powered by Disqus

Ads by Yahoo!

Mom is 53 But Looks 25
53yr Old Mom publishes 1 simple wrinkle trick that has angered doctors.
www.ConsumerLifestyleMag.com
Woman is 51 But Looks 25
Mom reveals simple wrinkle secret that has angered doctors...
ConsumerLifestyles.org

News Photo Galleriesview all