Pulse brief · 1 cited source · July 17, 2026
Springfield Hospital will close Vermont adult day program Sept. 30
The program serves 42 clients and is one of only 10 adult day services in Vermont. The hospital cited financial challenges and underutilization since the pandemic.
Springfield Hospital will close its long-running adult day program on Sept. 30, one of only 10 adult day services currently operating in Vermont. The program provides supervised care and activities for adults with physical and cognitive disabilities, offers respite for caregivers, serves 42 clients, and employs eight full-time and five part-time people whom hospital officials hope to move into new roles. Spokesperson Tonia Fleming said the hospital faces significant financial challenges and that the program, underutilized since the COVID-19 pandemic despite aggressive marketing in recent months, was no longer financially sustainable; officials would not disclose the expected savings. Fleming named Upper Valley Adult Day Care in Quechee, The Gathering Place in Brattleboro and Castle Center Adult Day Care in Keene, New Hampshire, as alternatives. Eric Fritz, Upper Valley's executive director and president of the Vermont Association of Adult Day Services, said his program is ready to welcome some Springfield clients, but that transportation is already a barrier and an extra half-hour or hour of driving, plus higher gas prices, may put respite out of reach.
Evidence
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- Springfield Hospital has announced it will close its long-running adult day program on Sept. 30.
- The Springfield program is one of only 10 adult day services currently operating in Vermont.
- Springfield Hospital administrators cited financial reasons and said that despite aggressive marketing in recent months the program has been underutilized since the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Hospital spokesperson Tonia Fleming said the hospital faces significant financial challenges and that the service was no longer financially sustainable.
- The Springfield adult day program currently serves 42 clients.
- The closure affects eight full-time and five part-time employees, and hospital officials hope to find new roles for them.
- Adult day programs provide supervised care and activities for adults with physical and cognitive disabilities and offer respite for caregivers.
- Springfield Hospital officials would not disclose how much money they expect to save by closing the program.
- Fleming cited Upper Valley Adult Day Care in Quechee, The Gathering Place in Brattleboro and Castle Center Adult Day Care in Keene, New Hampshire, as possible alternatives for care.
- Eric Fritz, executive director of Upper Valley's program and president of the Vermont Association of Adult Day Services, said his program is ready to welcome some of Springfield's clients.
- Fritz said transportation is already a barrier and that for already-stressed caregivers driving an extra half-hour or hour for respite care may not be possible, with higher gas prices adding to the cost.