Nursing Facility Capital Improvement and Innovation Project Loan Recipients Announced

(BOSTON 8/10/2023) — Earlier this week, MassHealth announced the awardees of the Nursing Facility Improvement and Innovation Project Forgivable Loan Program, several of which are located in Worcester. This program, funded through Section 1599-2029 of Chapter 102 of the Acts of 2021, An Act relative to immediate COVID-19 recovery needs, grants forgivable loan awards to certain nursing facilities to be used on capital improvement projects meeting certain requirements.

To be awarded a forgivable loan, a project must accomplish at least one of the following goals:

  • Develop specialized care capacity, such as den dialysis, infectious disease isolation, etc. (through use of new space or conversions of existing space);

  • Offset the costs of pay-go capital improvements such as upgrades to heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning systems; or

  • Fund innovative projects, such as converting multibed rooms to two-bedded or single occupancy.

“Our seniors deserve the absolute best care. I am thrilled to see that the Commonwealth is investing in improving nursing homes in Central Massachusetts and across the state,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “Improving air quality, upgrading technology, bringing more amenities to residents – these are all worthy causes. I’m pleased to have voted to authorize these grants, and I’m committed to working with my colleagues to deliver funds like these to further improve the Bay State’s nursing home care.”

Forty-eight projects were awarded grants, including nine in Worcester. A list of local projects can be found below:

Bear Mountain at Worcester

  • Worcester

  • Rooftop

  • $109,233.25

Bear Mountain at Worcester

  • Worcester

  • Call bell system

  • $36,713.25

Knollwood Nursing Center

  • Worcester

  • HVAC

  • $226,625.00

Lutheran Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center

  • Worcester

  • De-densification and related construction costs

  • $911,057.60

Lutheran Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center

  • Worcester

  • IT infrastructure; improvements to electronic medical records; patient/provider communication systems

  • $144,005.68

Odd Fellows Home of Massachusetts, Inc

  • Worcester

  • HVAC

  • $226,625.00

Parsons Hill Rehabilitation & Health Care Center

  • Worcester

  • HVAC

  • $226,625.00

West Side House

  • Worcester

  • Air filtration system

  • $150,029.38

Worcester Rehabilitation & Health Care Center

  • Worcester

  • HVAC

  • $226,625.00

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