Rockingham County long-term care leaders report hiring gains, approve records role and resident services; security staffing motion fails

Long-term care leaders for Rockingham County told the County Commissioners on Jan. 2 that recent hiring initiatives have improved staffing at county nursing and assisted-living facilities, and the board approved a pair of administrative measures while declining to authorize two new security attendant positions.

The county’s senior director of long-term care services, Chantelle Chaconan, told the commissioners the facility census stands at 133 residents in the nursing home and 49 in assisted living. Chaconan also said there are no residents currently positive for COVID-19 but six staff members have tested positive, and staff are evaluating a temporary masking step as a safeguard. “We currently have 6 positive staff,” Chaconan said.

The personnel move approved by the board repurposes one full-time medication nursing assistant position into one part-time medical records specialist, effective Jan. 26, 2025. The board also authorized a short-term Reiki services agreement covering Jan. 1–June 30, 2025. Commissioners described the Reiki service as a resident-focused offering; one commissioner said learning more changed their view of the therapy.

By contrast, the board debated a motion to create two…