Closure Leaves Dozens of Elderly Residents Displaced at Avery County Assisted Living Facility

Avery County --  August 7. 2025: A distressing situation unfolded this past weekend in Avery County as dozens of elderly residents of The Heritage at Sugar Mountain assisted living facility in Newland were abruptly displaced following the suspension of the facility's license by the state of North Carolina.

The closure, triggered by a critical staffing crisis and concerns over resident care, has left families scrambling and raised serious questions about the oversight and stability of long-term care facilities in the region.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) issued an emergency suspension of The Heritage at Sugar Mountain's license, citing an "imminent danger to the health, safety, and welfare of the residents." The state's decision followed reports of a mass exodus of staff, allegedly due to unpaid wages, leaving only a skeleton crew to care for the facility's 27-28 residents.

Sources indicate that the situation reached a critical point on Saturday, August 2nd, when only two employees remained on duty. These dedicated individuals, a resident care aide and a coworker, reportedly worked tirelessly for nearly 30 hours straight, struggling to provide essential care without adequate support or the ability to administer medications.

"It was a dire situation," stated a joint release from the Avery County Department of Social Services and Avery County Government. "The safety and well-being of these vulnerable residents were our immediate priority."

The lack of sufficient staff led to alarming reports from family members, who claimed that residents were not receiving timely meals or necessary medications. In one instance, concerned individuals resorted to bringing in food from a local fast-food restaurant to ensure residents were fed.

Responding to the emergency, the Avery County Department of Social Services, in collaboration with the Avery County Sheriff's Office, Emergency Management Services, and numerous other local agencies, launched a swift operation to safely relocate all residents. The complex logistical challenge saw elderly and often frail individuals moved to various facilities across the region, some as far away as Hickory.

For the residents, many of whom had called The Heritage at Sugar Mountain their home for an extended period, the sudden upheaval has been deeply unsettling. Family members have expressed concerns about the emotional toll of the unexpected move and the lack of communication from the facility's management.

Adding another layer to the unfolding situation is the fact that The Heritage at Sugar Mountain had recently been sold to a new company, Residence Care Group LLC, just two weeks prior to the license suspension. The new ownership has yet to publicly address the closure or the circumstances that led to it, leaving families and the community searching for answers.

While the immediate crisis has been managed through the prompt action of local authorities and dedicated caregivers, the incident has ignited broader concerns about the challenges facing assisted living facilities, particularly in rural areas. Issues such as workforce shortages, low wages in the caregiving sector, and the potential impact of new ownership on the quality of care are now under intense scrutiny.

The Avery County Sheriff's Office is actively assisting the NCDHHS with its ongoing investigation into the events leading to the license suspension. The new owners of The Heritage at Sugar Mountain have 20 days to appeal the state's decision. In the meantime, the focus remains on ensuring the well-being and stability of the displaced residents as they transition to their new living arrangements. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for robust oversight and support systems to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities in long-term care settings.  Closure Leaves Dozens of Elderly Residents Displaced at Avery County Assisted Living Facility.

WNCTimes

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