Long-term care leaders report census, transfers and seek arts grant for memory-care project

Long-term care staff on May 1 told commissioners the county’s assisted-living census is 48 and the nursing home census is 137 and requested multiple internal line-item transfers and a grant application to support memory-care programming.

The board approved two long-term care line-item transfers: $8,000 moved from linen/curtains to mattresses and pillows, and $170,000 moved from nursing staff to nursing employee FICA and retirement accounts, as recommended by the director of long-term care services. Commissioners discussed that the transfers reflect shifting costs from contracted nursing to county staff and that the mattress transfer included a small cushion to cover possible additional orders.

Staff also asked the board to authorize a fiscal-year 2026 application to the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts for an arts-and-health project described in the meeting as an “interactive memory care mural and logistical screening.” The memorandum read at the meeting listed an amount in the motion text as "7,909 hundred and $64," wording that was unclear in the transcript; the board moved, seconded and approved the authorization to apply for the grant. County staff said they would provide documentation and follow-up on the grant specifics.

Commissioners also approved a cash-out policy motion for earned time and holiday time for fiscal year 2026 as outlined in a memorandum dated April 24, 2025. The long-term care items passed with recorded affirmative votes and staff were directed to implement the transfers and proceed with the grant application process.