Elected officials propose transfer of ownership to save Amherst nursing home

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Elected officials held a press conference on Monday to call on the New York State Department of Health to approve a transfer of ownership for the Rosa Coplon Living Center at Weinberg Campus.

Thursday, it was announced that the Amherst nursing home would be closing its doors by the end of November, leaving 120 residents without a place to stay. Over 300 employees also work there. The announcement came just a few weeks after workers at the nursing home claimed their last paycheck had been bounced.

Some nursing home workers also reported late direct deposits, negative bank accounts and cancelled health insurance coverage.

The union that represents the workers, 1199SEIU, said they signed a letter earlier this month asking the NYSDOH for funds for a transfer of ownership to the Schofield Residence, who has been in a partnership with Weinberg for two years.

“For months, we have been doing everything within our power to keep the facility open,” said 1199SEIU Vice-President, Grace Bogdanove. “Immediate state funding to support a transfer of ownership will keep Weinberg open – allowing residents and their families to continue receiving the quality care they deserve from our dedicated union members.”

During the press conference, Bogdanove cited low Medicaid reimbursement rates and “financial mismanagement” for the closure. She went on to describe the Lineage Care Group, the corporate entity representing Schofield, as the right owner to take over the nursing home.

New York state officials such as Senator Sean Ryan, Congressman Tim Kennedy, and Buffalo acting mayor Chris Scanlon also spoke on Monday, voicing their concerns for the residents and workers of the nursing home.

“This is an outrageous decision that has to be reversed,” said Congressman Kennedy. “If Rosa Coplon on Weinberg campus closes people are going to die. That’s what happens when these homes close, that is a fact.”

“The decision to keep this facility open should be an easy one,” said acting mayor Scanlon.

Residents of the center and their families also spoke out Monday, with one woman saying that her mother won’t survive a transfer.

“These people are our lives in here, they’re our family away from family, these are the only women and men that I love and now, you’ve taken them away from me,” a resident said.

Families are outraged by everything that has unfolded at the Weinberg Campus the last few days. WIVB News 4 spoke with a woman who did not want to be on camera. Both of her parents are residents of the living center.

“This is like a nightmare for me,” the woman said. “Last Friday I went in, my mom was crying, ‘Please don’t separate us, please don’t separate us.'”

The woman said she attended several informational meetings that were held by Weinberg Campus staff. Representatives from other facilities were also in attendance evaluating patients to determine if they would be a good fit.

Both of her parents are suffering from memory loss and she’s worried about moving them out of the place they’re used to.

“Every time you change their environment, they lose a little bit more,” she said. “I’m worried that I’m gonna say goodbye to my mom, basically, this time.”

The closure announcement Thursday shocked family members and employees. 1199SEIU members were also surprised to learn that the president and CEO of Weinberg, Robert Mayer, submitted an application to close the facility back in August. They said they were never made aware of this.

Grace Bogdanove, the vice president of the union, said it’s been a common theme of not knowing things until they are brought to light by union members. Most recently, health insurance was canceled for workers.

“That was shocking and we’re working right now to try and find options for our members who need these services, who need health insurance and health coverage whether it’s for themselves or their family,” Bogdanove said.

Amherst Town Supervisor Brian Kulpa believes the transfer of ownership is the best option.

“They’re not just residents of Weinberg, they’re actually residents within the town,” he said. “Of course we’re upset about the idea of displacement.”

In a statement Thursday, the NYSDOH will, “ensure that the facility remains operational until all residents have been safely placed elsewhere,” but the department has not indicated that it will take any action when it comes to receivership.

“The ball is in the DOH’s court,” Bogdanove said. “I mean if the Department of Health is not willing to provide the funding and to approve this transfer of ownership, they are the ones making the decision to close this campus.”

In a statement Monday following the press conference, a spokesperson for the NYSDOH said that they are moving forward with the closure and moving residents into nearby facilities, but that the state is “committed to working with any entity interested in purchase of the Weinberg nursing home with the goal of sustaining these beds in the long term.”

The DOH also said receivership would be a months long process that would put the safety of residents at risk and because of this, the state is moving ahead with Weinberg’s closure plan.

The union also said that the governor’s office is aware of the closure and that conversations are ongoing. Residents Monday pleaded for Governor Kathy Hochul to step in.

“I’m not trying to be nasty, but where is she? This is the time for her to step up for us, don’t they know what this is doing to us,” one resident said.

A protest in front of the NYSDOH is planned for Tuesday.

Union leaders said if they don’t hear from the DOH by Tuesday, they will picket from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday outside its regional office in Buffalo.

See Monday’s press conference in the video player below.

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Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.

Trina Catterson joined the News 4 team in 2024. She previously worked at WETM-TV in Elmira, a sister station of WIVB. See more of her work here.

Jeff Preval is an award-winning anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in December 2021. See more of his work here.

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