Keeping county residents, patients, families and staff informed of all aspects of the project is a priority.

“What I don’t want is for people to start worrying,” said Legislator Gordon Crossman (D-Malone), who is chairman of the Human Resources Committee, which oversees the Nursing Home.

“If anything develops, we will keep people informed, but the last thing I want is for people to panic.

“I’m very proud of the Nursing Home we have,” Crossman said. “We’ve got a great staff and great people there.”

MORE FUNDS NEEDED

While the nearly $3 million is a start toward studying a merger, actual consolidation would take a lot more money.

“It has been explored for a number of years, but this is nowhere near what it would cost to do that,” Crossman said.

“I know, in light of our financial situation — and Gov. David Paterson’s forecast is bad for this year and next year — that these avenues have to be explored, but more money would be needed.”

Feeley agreed, saying the $2.9 million “is only one element necessary for the project to move forward.”

He said planning, engineering, design and cost projections, as well as the county’s expected contribution to the construction, would have to be worked out.

ASSISTED CARE

Crossman said he fully supports assisted-living programs where patients obtain help for limited medical needs for a fixed time then return to their homes to remain independent.

Rather than people hiring a private nurse or having a relative with no expertise help in their care following surgery, for example, the clients could have assisted care for a few weeks until they are strong enough to return home, he said.