Our History: A Legacy of Compassionate Care in Wayne County, NY
Serving the Finger Lakes Region for Nearly Two Centuries
At Wayne County Nursing Home & Rehabilitation Center in Lyons, NY, our story is deeply rooted in the evolving history of public care in Wayne County and the Finger Lakes Region of Upstate New York. From humble beginnings in the early 19th century to a modern, 192-bed skilled nursing facility, we have remained committed to providing high-quality care for the community’s most vulnerable citizens.
In the early 1800s, caring for the poor, sick, and mentally ill was not yet a public responsibility. Individuals in need were often viewed as burdens, pushed to the margins of society. That changed in 1830, when the Wayne County government took its first major step toward social responsibility by purchasing farmland west of Lyons, NY, to create a home for the poor—marking the foundation of what would become today’s Wayne County Nursing Home.
By the late 19th century, new buildings were constructed to care for individuals with infectious diseases, and in 1894, the original county poorhouse evolved into a medical facility.
In 1900, the facility was renamed The Wayne County Home, serving primarily the elderly and infirm by the 1920s. With the Public Welfare Law of 1929, oversight transferred to the New York State Board of Social Welfare, signaling a new era of regulated elder care.
The Wayne County Infirmary opened in 1936, staffed by a local physician, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and aides. In 1963, residents from the Home transitioned to the Infirmary, and by 1971, the new Wayne County Nursing Home opened with 99 beds. The former infirmary became an Intermediate Care Facility, later renamed the Health Related Facility under updated state guidelines.
Through the decades, the Wayne County Board of Supervisors and facility staff have remained committed to advancing elder care in Upstate New York. In 2005, a new, state-of-the-art residence opened—one of the few in New York designed under the Household Model, emphasizing privacy, dignity, and the comforts of home in long-term care.
Today, Wayne County Nursing Home & Rehab Center is a 192-bed skilled nursing facility licensed by the New York State Department of Health, located at 1529 Nye Road, Lyons, NY. We proudly serve families across Wayne County, Monroe County, Cayuga County, Ontario County, and Seneca County.
The evolution of our facility reflects a nearly 200-year journey of compassion, innovation, and public service. As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to being a leader in long-term care, rehabilitation services, and skilled nursing in the Finger Lakes Region.
To learn more about our services or to schedule a tour, call 315-946-5673 today.
Schedule a tour at Wayne County Nursing Home & Rehab Center at your convenient date and time.