(Editor’s note: The press release below is from Nov. 6.)
Nov. 11, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Pennsylvania’s Department of Health has given Northampton County six months to resolve problems at the Gracedale nursing home in Upper Nazareth Township.
“This does not mean Gracedale is closing,” according to a statement from County Executive Tara Zrinski.
It does mean the state wants improvements at Gracedale, which has been plagued by residents just walking out and complaints about care.
Gracedale has had difficulty hiring full-time staff in a region with two big hospital chains (Lehigh Valley Health Network and St. Luke’s University Health Network) that can outbid the county. As a result, it has had to rely on expensive nurses from temporary agencies.
Zrinski plans to bring in a consultant to review operations. The home’s administrator recently quit.
Gracedale can hold 688 residents, but the recent count at the Upper Nazareth Township facility has been around 450.
November 6, 2026
Statement from Northampton County Executive, Tara Zrinski:
[Northampton County, PA] – Following the September 10 and September 24 inspections, the Pennsylvania Department of Health has rescinded Gracedale’s Provisional II license and reissued a six-month provisional license under the Provisional III. This reissued Provisional License restarts the clock for another six months to clear the deficiencies. While we have made progress, additional violations show that more work is needed to protect residents’ health and safety.
This does not mean Gracedale is closing. We must submit an acceptable Plan of Correction and demonstrate that the changes are working. We are bringing in a consultant to help review policies, procedures, and resident care plans and strengthen our improvements. Residents’ safety and well-being remain our priority.
“Correcting individual findings is not enough,” said Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski. “We must also examine the systems that allowed additional problems to occur and intend to hire a consultant to review policies, procedures, and resident care plans, strengthen our corrective actions, and help demonstrate lasting compliance. Our priority remains the safety and well-being of every resident.”
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