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meredith memorial home to close

Story and photo by LIZ QUIRIN
Messenger editor

Meredith Memorial Home, the diocesan home for senior citizens will close its doors as soon as its 40 residents can be placed in other facilities.

No official closing date was available because it was unclear how long it would take to place residents.

“We will wait until everyone is placed in another facility,” Bill Knapp, diocesan chief financial officer, said. “We are committed to that.”

In April last year the diocese filed papers with the state for a certificate for a supportive living facility and was told to expect a decision on that certificate in September, Knapp said.

The plan at the time was to close Meredith after the certificate was secured and a new facility could be built for Meredith’s residents and others who would want to live there as well.

“The diocese was hoping to receive word from the state before making any decision on closing,” Knapp said.
However, with no decision from the state to date, the diocese was forced to announce the closing of Meredith.
“Given the costs to the diocese associated with Meredith, it was not possible to keep it open,” Knapp said.

The closing was announced to residents and their families Jan. 15.

Residents are upset, Sue Neuharth, Meredith administrator, said. “Some of them have been here a long time and this is their home.”

Neuharth is making appointments with other facilities in the area to come to Meredith to talk to residents about their facilities, she said.

Then, if residents are interested, she will take them on tours of those facilities.

Neuharth is trying to make this transition as easy as possible, knowing that moving older people can be stressful for them.

Meredith began welcoming residents in 1962 after Florence Meredith left instructions in her will directing the diocese to open a facility for the aged in memory of her father, James Meredith.

The Messenger will update this story as more information becomes available.