CT nursing home in foreclosure amid questions over 93-year-old woman’s death

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT (WFSB) – The family of a 93-year-old woman who died after wandering in freezing temperatures from a nursing home is questioning the Windsor Locks facility’s response and whether it followed proper procedures.

Margaret Healey, a former Catholic school teacher and nun, was found unresponsive outside the Bickford Health Care Center on Main Street early Sunday morning. Police said she left the facility in her pajamas and sneakers.

Healey was reported missing around 4:45 a.m. She was found face down in a snowbank in the facility’s driveway. Investigators believe she may have fallen.

Clare Kindall, Healey’s niece, said the family has significant concerns about how the situation was handled.

“As a family, we are all grieving about this,” Kindall said. “Obviously, we have some pretty significant concerns. It was bitterly cold that night. It was below zero degrees without windchill. She was out in her pajamas and sneakers, 10 or 15 minutes, she’s in hypothermia. We have a lot of questions.”

Lt. Paul Cherniak of Windsor Locks police said staff brought Healey inside and attempted to warm her with blankets before calling for medical help.

“It appears that they brought her in from the outdoors when she was outside face down in the snow bank, and they began warming techniques with blankets, trying to bring her body temperature back up,” Cherniak said. “She did not make it, unfortunately, and by the time we were called, there was a pronouncement at 6:46.”

Police said the nursing home waited almost two hours after Healey was discovered missing before calling police. Kindall said police told her that staff did not call for an ambulance until after they brought her aunt inside and tried to resuscitate her.

“We don’t want to point fingers as to wrongdoing. We don’t know if that’s the case. We are still in the middle of it all. But in a case like that, for future reference—and for your viewers certainly—you would call EMS and police as fast as you can,” Cherniak said.

“We’re hoping she didn’t suffer. It just adds to your pain,” Kindall said. “There’s two big questions. Call the ambulance right away.”

Healey had been living at Bickford for the past 2 years and had a history of wandering due to her mental condition. She wore an alert device designed to activate when residents exit doorways without authorization; however, the family questions if it even worked.

“She has an ankle bracelet, and at least when I would take her out to lunch or something, the alarm would go off. So, my experience was the ankle bracelet worked,” said Kindall. “I don’t know if there were subsequent problems with the system, but my personal experience was that it worked.”

Police said she was able to leave the facility without anyone seeing her.

“Due to various factors present, [such as] age, extreme cold weather, and overall medical health condition, the cause of death is currently undetermined,” according to a preliminary police report.

The medical examiner’s office will determine the official cause of death.

Records show Medicare currently rates Bickford Health Care Center as a one-star facility. During its most recent health inspection in April 2024, the facility received 24 citations. In November, a complaint investigation found the facility failed to maintain safe water temperatures, with water hot enough to cause potential burn injuries.

The Department of Public Health said it was informed of the death over the weekend.

“DPH was informed over the weekend of the death of a resident at the Bickford Health Care Center,” DPH said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to her family and friends. DPH is prohibited from disclosing or discussing the existence of an investigation until any such investigation is closed and findings are issued.”

As Eyewitness News continues to investigate, it was found that the care facility is in foreclosure. According to CTTaxSales.com, the company owes more than $105,000 to the town and if they don’t pay it, there will be an auction at town hall.

Bickford Health Care Center provided us with a statement that reads, “Words cannot express the profound grief we are experiencing as a family community. Our deepest sympathies go out to the resident’s family and friends. We are currently working with state and local authorities to assist them in completing a thorough investigation of this tragedy and comply with additional safe guards as needed. To our staff and families of Bickford Healthcare, in-house support is available by our Social Worker. Management and Staff of Bickford Healthcare are committed to providing the best care for our resident’s as we work through this difficult time.”

The Alzheimer’s Association’s Connecticut Chapter has a 24/7 helpline: 800-272-3900.

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