‘New direction’ at The Kenney will bring closure of its skilled-nursing facility

The Kenney has announced that it’s closing its skilled-nursing facility, known as its Health Center. In a news release, The Kenney’s management calls the closure part of “a new direction for care services” and says the center’s “small size … has limited what we are able to offer our residents. … In making this change, the Kenney will be joining a growing number of continuing-care retirement communities nationwide who are moving away from operating their own skilled-nursing facility on-site.”

In response to our followup questions, The Kenney’s executive director René Dumas says 15 people are currently living in the Health Center, which has 20 beds, and that almost half of them are there for “short-term stays … for rehabilitation prior to discharge to home.” The facility says the center’s residents “are being offered assistance with the transition.” That’s also what they say they’ll be doing with an unspecified number of employees who will be affected. Dumas also says that after its closure on February 1st, the area now used for skilled nursing care “will be used for memory-care services.” Elsewhere at The Kenney, Dumas adds, “We plan to use a wing that has not been used for two years as expanded assisted-living services (more care services than our existing assisted living in Lincoln Vista).”

It’s been more than a year since The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW) announced some other changes, including redevelopment plans for part of its site, still proceeding through the city system.

8 Replies to "'New direction' at The Kenney will bring closure of its skilled-nursing facility"

  • Former Employee November 16, 2017 (9:43 am)

    The Kenney always seems to have struggled with low occupancy. Hopefully this move will set them on the right course… too bad they announce that “employees will be affected” right before the holidays!!

    • fiz November 16, 2017 (11:38 am)

      My mother was on a waiting list for fourteen months years ago, so not always low occupancy.

  • Nichole November 16, 2017 (11:01 am)

    Burien Nursing and Rehab would be happy to have their employees apply with us. We are a 5 star facility always looking for RN’s LPN’s and CNA’s due to our high volume of patients!

    Drop by and fill out an application at 1031 SW 130th St. Burien WA.

    Nichole

    Director of Community Relations

     

  • ProudPapa November 16, 2017 (1:19 pm)

    My grandmother and I looked at the Kenney when she needed assisted living services. I recall they have a couple levels of service – the assisted living apartments that provide meals and care when needed which had a waiting list- and the full-time care section that is in the basement that felt like a hospital – it had availability.

    The thing that shocked me about their business model is that they requested all my grandmothers savings to be paid to Kenney in one payment, then they would draw from it monthly. That made absolutely no sense to me so we went elsewhere.

    Not too surprised they are doing away with ‘Health Center’ as it must have been very expensive.

  • Victoria November 17, 2017 (11:26 am)

    I would think that 20 fewer medical beds in West Seattle would be cause for far more concern.   Where do these people go?  Where do other people go when they have a short or long-term medical condition that requires skilled nursing?  Our population is aging.  Yet, these services are disappearing because they’re costly.  Assisted living is cheaper to provide, but it’s for a different, much more functional population.  The reality is that when elderly people need skilled nursing will have to leave West Seattle and increasingly Seattle entirely.  That’s an incredible hardship for spouses and family members.  Residents bought into the Kenney thinking they would get their care on-site.   What is wrong with us that we don’t think it’s necessary to take care of our sick and elderly anymore?  Yes, I have a horse in this race.  My father has to find a new place to live by 2/1/18.  The “assistance” in finding a new place remains to be seen since management seems to lack knowledge of anything but the numbers and helpful staff members are being terminated.

  • nichole November 18, 2017 (2:21 pm)

    Hi Victoria,

     Sorry your dad is having to leave The Kenney, moving for anyone is disruptive but so much more for Seniors. Burien Nursing and Rehab is located at 130th and Ambaum so not far from The Kenney. We currently have short term beds and private pay long term beds. We cannot care for anyone with a wandering behavior due to being on a steep hill but otherwise are a fully equip skilled nursing facility with a 5 star rating from the center for Medicare and Medicaid . Feel free to call our 24/7admission line. 206.631.0222

     If there is ANY way your dad would be safe in an adult family home I highly recommend using one of the placement agencies like Choice or Care Patrol. Both of those companies have a rep that live in West Seattle and know the area very well! Its a free service to families. 

  • Cheryl November 20, 2017 (1:21 pm)

    Wow.  A news release before I get the letter telling me I have to find a new place for my Mom.  I am still feeling stunned.  I tried to call Rene first thing this morning but no return call yet.  Maybe it would have been a better idea to give the patients and their families an early heads up say in a phone call or with some type of personal touch especially since there were only 15 of them.  We could have had some time to adjust to the idea and to begin searching  for a new place before the holidays were upon us.  After all, Mom bought in at the Kenney so she wouldn’t have to move. 

     

     

  • VICTORIA B CHHAGAN November 20, 2017 (7:21 pm)

    They had a meeting last Wednesday where the plans were unveiled.  Slick presentation ending with the bad news.  I just happened to be there.  I had stopped in to see my dad.  I’m not sure they wanted the families there.  There is a follow-up this Wednesday at 1:00 or 1:30.

    Victoria

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