The Board of Directors and local leadership of the Logan Health Shelby Care Center announced plans on June 26, 2025, to restructure care delivery model at the care center and transition the beds to an intermediate swing bed unit within the hospital, ensuring high-quality, sustainable care for seniors and other patients needing short-term, skilled or intermediate services.
This decision follows extensive planning and consideration of the best ways to serve the region’s health care needs responsibly and sustainably.
“Providing our community’s seniors with access to excellent care remains our highest priority,” said Logan Health Shelby President Vicki Newmiller. “However, we must also be good stewards of our resources to ensure we can continue offering a full range of health services in our region.”
The transition comes in response to the growing challenges faced by nursing homes nationwide. Between 2020 and mid-2024, more than 770 nursing homes closed across the United States due to rising costs, staffing shortages, and reimbursement rates that do not cover the actual cost of care. Montana alone lost 12 nursing homes in recent years, about 20% of its senior care facilities.
By converting the care center beds to intermediate swing beds, Logan Health Shelby can continue providing skilled and intermediate nursing services, as well as rehabilitation services for patients who no longer require acute hospital care but are not able to live independently.
“Our swing bed unit will allow us to deliver the same compassionate, professional care, while keeping our health care services financially viable for years to come,” said Newmiller.
The transition is expected to be completed within 60 days following notification to state agencies. Current residents and their families will receive personalized support to ensure appropriate placement and continuity of care, whether in the swing bed unit or at another local nursing facility with available capacity.
