Press Releases
06/24/2021
Attorney General Tong, Department of Public Health Announce Agreement to Protect Carlson Place Residents
(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong and Acting Public Health Commissioner Deidre S. Gifford today announced an agreement to provide for the safe relocation of 26 residents of Carlson Place, and a second agreement which allows for a new owner to operate the residential care home in Norwalk after a complete renovation of the facility at no cost to the state.On June 8, the Department of Public Health issued an order requiring the evacuation of residents from Carlson Place due to unsafe conditions at the property. The Office of the Attorney General, Department of Public Health, Department of Social Services and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman’s Office worked jointly to identify a nearby nursing home facility, Westport Rehabilitation Complex, able to accept all 26 residents. Residents began moving to the new facility yesterday. Additionally, a buyer has been identified who has agreed to purchase and renovate Carlson place at his own expense. The State has entered into a pre-licensure consent order with the new owner, Dr. Syed Reza, detailing extensive renovations that must be completed before a license will be granted enabling the home to resume operation as a residential care home. Once that license is granted, prior residents of Carlson Place will be given the opportunity to safely return home.
Among the conditions included in the consent order include a full roof replacement, removal and replacement of all furniture and room furnishings, new toilets throughout the facility, rug replacement, full repainting of the facility, repairs to the driveway and sidewalks, a complete fire sprinkler system and upgraded interior lighting, among other measures.
“This agreement ensures a safe home for every Carlson Place resident. Conditions at this property were simply unacceptable. This agreement gives residents the chance to remain together and safely relocate nearby while a comprehensive renovation is completed. Every resident will be given the opportunity to return to a clean, safe, and functioning home. I thank Health and Education Section Chief Daniel Shapiro who worked tirelessly in cooperation with the Department of Public Health, Department of Social Services, and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman to reach this excellent outcome,” said Attorney General Tong.
“This is an excellent example of teamwork and collaboration among state agencies whose first priority is the health and safety of the residents of Carlson Place,” said Acting Department of Public Health Commissioner Gifford, who also heads the Department of Social Services. “Making this transition as seamless and supportive as possible is absolutely imperative, and we thank the residents, family members and advocates, and our partners. We also commend Dr. Reza for his commitment to renovating the structure so that the residents can return there in a timely fashion.”
“Ensuring residents’ rights along with quality care and services is a primary goal of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. I greatly appreciate the efforts of our Ombudsman team members, the Attorney General’s office, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Social Services and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services have provided to protect these residents. I was very happy to hear that there was a potential opportunity for the residents to return to their home under much improved circumstances. The previous conditions were totally unacceptable and maintaining quality homes should always be our priority,” said State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Mairead Painter.
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