Patriots Landing tenants upset over application denial

Residents say skilled-nursing center is much needed

By Keri Brenner | The Olympian • Published July 23, 2008

DuPONT – When his wife, Geraldine, grew ill two years ago and became unsteady on her feet, Ken Ward knew it was only a matter of time before she would be transferred from their home at Patriots Landing retirement community to a more intensive medical center.

Geraldine Ward was moved to two hospitals and then a care center in Tacoma. Four days after the last move, she died.

"I felt that the trauma of the transfers contributed to her early death," said Ward, 90, president of the Patriots Landing residents council. "The transfers were because we have no skilled nursing facility nearby."

Ward and the other residents of the 182-bed community of retired military personnel and their spouses said they are outraged that the state has denied an application from Patriots Landing LLC to build an 80-bed skilled-nursing facility next door.

State Department of Health officials say their review of the 2004 application showed at least 300 vacant beds in other parts of Pierce County where skilled nursing services could be provided.

Under state law, they cannot grant approval for a new facility unless need can be established, said Steve Saxe, Health's director of health professions and facilities.

"In our review, we could not see where their application met the need criteria," Saxe said.

Patriots Landing LLC has appealed the denial to Thurston County Superior Court. Today, Judge Christine Pomeroy will conduct a hearing on the appeal.

Pomeroy is not expected to take additional testimony, but will review the record and either uphold or deny the administrative decision or delay action to allow time for additional review.

For the residents, who have been battling the issue for four years, time is running out, they say.

"There are 200 people here, and the clock is ticking," Ward said. "Every day, one of us is closer to getting kicked out."

Resident Donnie Weeks, a Pierce County activist who previously helped get a community mental health center built, said the lack of a skilled-nursing facility in DuPont forces elderly couples to be separated at a time when they most need each other. Most of the residents are unable to drive; a shuttle bus offers limited transportation, she said.