Genesis HealthCare Corp. is closing a Sharon Hill program that allows elderly participants who would otherwise be in a nursing home to live at home but get medical care and social interaction through regular visits to a center in their community.
The Genesis facility, opened in July 2007, is part of a federal- and state-backed program called Living Independently for Elderly, or LIFE. The facility serves 134 elderly residents, mostly from Delaware County, but including 10 from Chester County.
Genesis said in statement Thursday the decision to close was made because of funding cuts and the inability to attract enough members. The Kennett Square company said it tried unsuccessfully turn the program over to another provider. The participants will now have to rely exclusively on home-based services or go into a nursing home, said Wanda Stonebraker, director of the Chester County Department of Aging Services.