By Stephen Janis
If there is one sentiment that defines the debate over the future of Nathaniel Witherell, it is this: it’s personal.
Meaning, the beloved elder care facility is so deeply embedded in both the history and psyche of the community it has served for over 100 years, any opinion about its future is infused with a passion that goes far beyond the confines of a nursing home.
For supporters who want the town to continue managing Witherell it is not just an institution, but a symbol of Greenwich’s commitment to its residents from cradle to grave.
“No nursing home should ever be for-profit,” said Sheliah Smith, a member of Witherell’s family council, a group made up of relatives of Witherell residents. “All the money they generate should go back into care for the residents. “
Similarly for those who believe the elder care facility should be privatized, they believe the only reasonable option is to transition away from dependence on the town.
“The fear is that it will deteriorate or close,” said William Drake, a member of the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) who was integral to drafting the plan to lease Witherell to a private firm. “What we’re trying to do is put it on a proper foundation with proper management who are committed to it.”
Even I have ties to Witherell. During my mid-teens I spent the better part of two summers volunteering there, learning about the town’s history and past from the people I assisted. I found refuge in connecting with the elders of my town and I still recall it fondly nearly forty years later.
My experience, and that of so many others clearly demonstrates the dilemma for Greenwich as the town moves forward with a plan to sign a lease for the facility with the healthcare firm Allaire for 25 years. The proposal has stoked controversy, prompting residents to wrestle with fundamental questions about not just the future of the hospital, but the community itself.
Among them: Is Witherell an essential service deserving of financial support from a town that can afford it, or is it a struggling nursing home which is overly reliant on taxpayers to pay the bills? Will the hospital thrive if the financial lifeline from the town is severed, or is a municipal government ill-suited to run a nursing home?
To answer these questions in our four part series, The Sentinel spoke to a variety of stakeholders, key decision makers and residents themselves. We talked to families of patients and the political leaders who will decide their future.
We examined the financial realities that have required the town to make up for recurring shortfalls. We also spoke to professionals with experience in the business of nursing homes to gain perspective on the challenges facing an industry in flux. Lastly we sought details of the proposed deal to takeover Witherell, some of which have not been made public.
What we learned is that whatever path the town adopts for the historic facility, for many it will be a reflection of the values rooted in the history of Greenwich itself: fiscal pragmatism about how the government spends taxpayer money, and a firm commitment to providing the very best services to those who truly need it. Ideals both sides say are not irreconcilable, but will require tough decisions for a town seeking a path forward which preserves both.
Over the next few weeks The Sentinel will share with readers the history of this remarkable facility, the perspective of its many stakeholders, its complicated financial picture through the years, and what comes next. Look for this series right here next week.
