January 27, 1999
New name, same aim for former hotel
By Jefferson Wolfe
Staff Writer
March 22 is set in stone as the opening date of the renovated Shawhan Hotel, to be called Sunrise Assisted Living at the Shawhan.
Maria Paradiso Browne, administrator of the facility, said Karrington, the company that had been renovating the old hotel into an assisted-living facility for the elderly, recently merged with Sunrise.
The two companies have similar philosophies, but Sunrise, which was started 17 years ago, is older than Karrington, which has been in existance for 7 years. Most of Sunrise's facilities are on the east and west coasts, while Karrington has facilities in the middle of the country, making the merger good for both companies, Browne said.
There will be no personnel changes as a result of the merger, she said, and the facility will offer the same amenities as before.
One of the advantages of the merger with Sunrise is that it gives the Shawhan facility more resources for education and counseling, Browne said.
Sunrise has developed tapes, videos and books and a resource library on a variety of topics, including education for families of those living at the facility. Support groups also are to be offered.
Browne said under Karrington there were plans for those types of things, but Sunrise has more established programs in place.
The plumbing and electrical work is complete, as is the wallpapering, carpeting and painting. The second, third and fourth floors were completed first, then the first floor and the basement.
''Next week, in moves the furniture and equipment,'' Browne said.
Furniture, fixtures and equipment are due to arrive in several truckloads.
''We will have an interior decorator come in and lay out all the furniture,'' Browne said. The interior decorator will be the same one who designed the rooms.
Other items to arrive include small wares for the kitchen, activity supplies, bedspreads and linens.
''We have to put the finishing touches on the inside,'' she said.
There still are rooms available, Browne said, and potential residents have a choice as to what suite they would like to occupy.
The management team has been hired and about 75 percent of the staff is in place. Browne said they still are looking for resident assistants, receptionists, housekeepers and laundry people.
Sunrise Assisted Living at the Shawhan will employ about 50 people, she said.