Gracedale Has Reduced Reliance on Agency Nurses to 57%, But Is Still Operating at a Loss

Though Northampton County's Gracedale is currently its biggest headache, nearly all of yesterday's meeting of Council's Human Services Committee was devoted to other departments. Administrator Michelle Mortin had only 15 minutes to update Council. She started by passing out a chart covering different data collected, but it was only presented to Council. As a result, I can only rely on what she stated in her description of her handout.

Gracedale staff v. Agency nurses. - According to Morton, agency hours are 57% to 43% by Gracedale staff. She stated this is a significant improvement over the 75% reliance on agency staffing one year ago. As a result, Gracedale has spent less on agency nurses. 

Hours per patient per day (PPD). - The state minimum is 3.2 hours per patient per day. Morton stated that Gracedale has consistently been above this minimum threshold since it was cited for being below this minimum on November 18, 2025 and again on January 8, 2026. 

Census remains below 520. - Morton acknowledged that its census remains below 520, which is the minimum census required to break even. She explained this is because the nursing home has been more selective with its admissions. 

Non-nursing Overtime Reduced. - Early last year, non-nursing staff were averaging 240 hours per month in OT. That has been reduced to 40 hours per month. 

Gracedale is in the red. - In January and February, Gracedale had operating losses. But she said that there is significant unpaid revenue because if takes about 300 days to get someone approved for Medicaid. Once that revenue is realized, she expects Gracedale to be in the black. 

Gracedale's residents. - She noted that 85% of the residents have psychiatric diagnoses, compared to 60% on the state and national level. She added that 17.5% are under 65.  This population has a negative impact on quality measures because of the medications that most be used. 

Gracedale's One-Star Rating. - is due to the exorcist nurse and staffing shortages. As a result of the nurse who assaulted a resident, Gracedale will be stuck at one star for a year

Department of Health Visits. - There have been seven visits from the state Department of Health so far in 2026. Aside from the staffing deficiency found on January 8, there have been no additional deficiencies.

Initiatives. - The home is currently conducting dementia training through a state grant to improve empathy and care quality. It has begun an infection detection project to reduce transfers to a hospital and improve detection in dementia residents. It has an ongoing falls reduction strategy