Five Athena Healthcare facilities sold to competitor

Dave Altimari and Jenna Carleso for the CT Mirror report that Athena Health Care Systems has sold five of their facilities to National Health Care Associates.

All five locations are nursing homes. One, Newtown Rehabilitation and Health Care, is located in Fairfield County.

According to Altimari and Carleso, while the size of the deal has not been disclosed National Health Care Associates has agreed to cover the back taxes owed by Athena, and $2.6 million towards employee healthcare costs that the company failed to pay.

Athena’s management of the facilities has been the subject of considerable criticism and reporting.

The Newtown facility in particular was cited in January of 2023 for having a critical shortage of staff.

“This potentially could be a really good deal for the residents and staff in these homes,” Long Term Care Ombudsman Mairead Painter told Altimari and Carleso. “Hopefully the quality in these homes will improve and they can finally move forward.”