Editor,
Dear Mr. Nichols,
I am writing to you as the President of the Cortland Acres board of directors. I wanted to bring to your attention my disappointment in the administration of the nursing home. Over the past few months, I have been assisting. David “Boots” Humphrey, while living out his last days on earth. Mr. Humphrey passed on Saturday October 24, 2020 at Henry Clay Villa in Markleysburg, PA. he received excellent care and compassion, from not only the staff but the administration as well. During his short stay there, they were aware of his desire to be transferred to Cortland.
Prior to his passing, several calls were made, not only by me, but social workers of Davis Medical Center in Elkins, WV and Garrett Regional Medical Center in Oakland, Md to Cortland Acres to obtain placement for “Boots”. I spoke to the resident admission representative on several occasions only to be told that there were no beds available. I asked if she could place him on a wait list and she assured me that she had, and he was currently second in line. Sadly, being the second in line apparently didn’t exist as he was never admitted to the facility.
It has since been brought to my attention, that prior to his passing that other folks have had loved ones admitted to the faciality. I realize “Boots”, is not what the administration of Cortland Acres would have considered a model citizen of our county. But I assure you that he has worked harder than anyone in the county to gain back the respect of our citizens by cleaning and clearing the streets and rail trails of our small town of Parsons of debris and snow. He was aware of his past behaviors and sadly they followed him through his life, and he continued to be judged.
As a past employee of Cortland, I am extremely disappointed in the administration of your facility. I expected a better quality of service and compassion, and unfortunately, I was wrong. My hope is in the future that no other person is ever judged the way or treated in the manner that” Boots” was. He last wishes were to return to Tucker County his home. He did not deserve to be denied care in his final days. I am voicing my opinion in hopes that the board takes a hard look at who oversees the admissions and that every patient is considered a precious life.
Sincerely,
Cindy Humphrey Harsh
