Northfield Hospital Long Term Care Center has been a dedicated part of the Northfield Hospital + Clinics system since its opening in 1963. Originally established as the H.O. Dilley Skilled Nursing Facility, the center was made possible through a generous $250,000 bequest from Minnie Dilley and was first housed in the hospital previously located on Second Street, now known as Way Park. Over its many decades of operation, the Long Term Care Center evolved into a 40-bed unit, serving the long-term healthcare needs of the local community with a strong focus on quality resident care, professional staffing, and health standards.
Throughout its history, the Long Term Care Center has earned recognition for its high standards, having received five-star ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. These ratings reflect the center’s commitment to excellence in health inspections, staffing, and the overall quality of resident care provided. Staff at the facility have been known for their dedication and professionalism, especially during particularly challenging times such as the recent pandemic years, ensuring that residents have continued to receive compassionate and comprehensive care.
The facility functioned as a city-owned institution, operating entirely on revenue generated from its services. It has never relied on city funding for construction or daily operations, reflecting a model of financial independence and community responsibility. In recent years, however, Northfield Hospital + Clinics faced mounting financial challenges. In 2022 alone, the organization reported net revenue of $119.7 million and net expenses of $128.8 million, highlighting a significant financial shortfall. Within the Long Term Care Center specifically, the cost of providing resident care considerably outpaced the payments received for these essential services, a situation exacerbated by broader trends affecting healthcare providers—ranging from staff shortages and rising operational costs to flat payment rates and an imbalance between government and private payment sources.
The difficult decision was made to close the Long Term Care Center in the fall of 2023, guided by a comprehensive review of the organization’s service lines and a desire to sustain the broader healthcare mission of Northfield Hospital + Clinics. Special attention was given to ensuring all residents received support in finding alternative placements that would meet their individual needs and preferences, with assistance provided throughout their transition. Care was also extended to the facility’s dedicated staff, with efforts made to connect them with other opportunities within the organization or in the local healthcare community.
The legacy of the Northfield Hospital Long Term Care Center rests not only in decades of service but also in the values of community commitment, quality care, and staff dedication that have defined its operations since it first welcomed residents. Its history is shaped by thoughtful stewardship, the generosity of benefactors like Minnie Dilley, and a continual pursuit of excellence for the benefit of Northfield and the surrounding communities.