State steps up monitoring of assisted living center

By Larry Coonrod, Lebanon Express writer

Century Fields Retirement and Assisted Living Community in Lebanon was placed under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Aug. 19. A representative of the firm that manages Century Fields said residents should see no change in the quality of care.

"Our hope is that this will remain in the financial background and the effects will not be visible to residents or employees," said Steven Stradley, spokesperson for Salem-based Sunwest Management, Inc., which operates the facility.

After mortgage payments were late in June and July, Sunwest was notified that the lender was placing Century Field's loan in default, Stradley said.

"To keep Sunwest as manager, which we feel is the better than having some other entity appointed to run it, we felt Chapter 11 was the best option," he said.

Century Fields opened in 2005 and is owned in part by Senior Living Properties 11 LLC in Salem, which has not filed for bankruptcy protection. Nor has Sunwest.

Sunwest manages 275 senior housing centers (about 50 in Oregon) in 36 states. Nine other Sunwest managed facilities also filed for bankruptcy protection the same week as Century Fields.

"There are no more pending legal actions and we don't expect anymore at this time," Stradley said. "I think it is important to underscore our commitment to see that residents in Century Fields continue to receive the same quality of care they have since it's been open."

Last week, Sunwest's chief operating officer Darryl Fisher sent a letter to the residents, families and staff of its care facility reassuring them that the company is taking steps to settle debt issues.

"We are confident that in the next 60-120 days, we can be successful in our efforts to weather the current financial storm," Fisher wrote.

"I see no difference in the quality of service," said John Eggen, who has resided at Century Fields for the past three years, after receiving Fisher's letter. "I've been very happy with the services here."

James Toews, assistant directory of the Seniors and People with Disabilities Division of the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS), said DHS has received calls from people concerned about family members residing at Century Fields and has "stepped up monitoring significantly."

In the past, because its residents do not receive DHS financial assistance, Sunwest facilities have normally only been subject to inspection during annual licensure reviews unless the department receives a report of a health or safety risk, Toews said.

However, that is changing with Sunwest's mounting financial problems.

"We've been in contact with all of our offices with Sunwest facilities in their area and asked that they check on a regular basis. We have no evidence yet that care has suffered," Toews said. "Weekly visits are now going to be the standard. We want eyes on these facilities to make sure essential services continue."