LIBERTY – The Sullivan County-owned nursing home, Care Center at Sunset Lake, in Liberty has enacted a pause in new admissions as its consulting company, Infinite Care, is no longer seeking to become the Care Center’s licensed operator.

According to Sullivan County Director of Communications Dan Hust, the reason for Infinite Care’s decision is that it remains uncertain whether the New York State Department of Health will approve a Certificate of Need application allowing an Infinite Care-related entity to assume operating control of the facility. Infinite Care began providing administrative services in May 2021 and broader consulting services later that year.

“Infinite Care’s leadership determined that continuing to wait on the resolution of this application was not optimal for them or the county,” Hust said.

Because of this change in direction, the Care Center is not accepting new admissions, according to Hust, and the county remains the facility’s licensed operator.

Attempts to reach Infinite Care were unanswered by presstime yesterday afternoon.

The 146-bed facility located on Sunset Lake Road offers long-term nursing care and short-term rehabilitation services. According to Hust, the facility currently has 96 residents, representing an occupancy rate of about 66 percent.

Sullivan County Legislator Catherine Scott, who chairs the Health and Human Services Committee, said in a statement to the Democrat, “I respect Infinite Care’s decision and look forward to working with them as they slowly and carefully conclude their consultancy at the Care Center.”

Scott said the transition has not yet begun and that residents and staff will be kept informed of changes as they are finalized and as the county determines its long-term plans for the facility.

“I know this transition will not be easy, especially for the dedicated staff who have devoted themselves to caring for our residents every day,” Scott said. “Their compassion, skill, and commitment are the heart of the Care Center, and they deserve our gratitude and support throughout this process.”

A history of ownership and management

The ownership and operation of the Care Center at Sunset Lake, formerly the Sullivan County Adult Care Center, have undergone several changes since 2020.

While county-owned for many years, in 2020 the former legislature made a proposition to sell the nursing home, due to what they said was a declining financial situation. However, after objections from the public, the legislature instead moved to create the Sunset Lake Local Development Corporation (LDC) and searched for an operator, ultimately choosing Infinite Care.

In 2021, the LDC and Infinite Care Management formally signed a consulting agreement that contemplated a long-term transfer of operations, subject to approval by the state Department of Health.

Then in 2023, the county and Infinite Care submitted a Certificate of Need application to the Department of Health seeking approval for an Infinite Care-related entity to become the licensed operator, according to county documents.

More than three years later, Infinite Care has decided to end its consultancy, according to county officials, after waiting for a decision from the Department of Health.

The county has not yet announced when the admissions pause will end, who will assume Infinite Care’s responsibilities or what the change will cost taxpayers.