BY STEPHEN DREW
Independent Editor

By the end of spring next year Englewood will be home to a relatively new style of senior citizen housing, one that offers a respectable setting for seniors and an assortment of personal care needs.

Karrington Communities, based in Columbus, in partnership with Good Samaritan Hospital and the Mariah-Joseph Center of Dayton and their sponsoring organization, Catholic Health Initiatives of Cincinnati, have begun the process of bringing the assisted living facility to the Northmont area Last Wednesday, officials from the entities, along with local chamber of commerce and city personnel, participated in a ground-breaking ceremony at the facility's location, 95 W. Wenger Road, which, when complete, will house 65 residents.

"We're excited to bring a new model to the area," said Richard Slager, president and CEO of

Karrington Communities, "and to bring to the marketplace something were senior citizens Can live in a dignified setting."

The partnership of Karrington Communities and the health partners built Karrington of Oakwood a few years ago, but officials from the sponsoring organizations recognized a need for a similar facility in the North Dayton area. Karrington of Englewood will be a 33,000-squarefoot, one-story facility that will include 48 suite residences, some of which will be doubles.

Senior residents are able to maintain their independence and at the same time offered a variety of services on which they pay for only those they use. Among the services provided by the Karrington staff are assistance with bathing, dressing, monitoring and administration of medications, wellness checks and health maintenance programs by a registered nurse.

In addition to three daily meals, items such as housekeeping, laundry and linens, scheduled transportation, and a variety of social and recreational activities are also provided. All maintenance of the residence and grounds are also provided by the Karrington staff. Plus, it allows them to stay in Englewood and the surrounding communities so that they remain close to family and friends)

"This will be a very homelike setting for residents," said Bernadette Schmitt, S.C., Elder Care specialist for Catholic Health Initiatives.

Karrington Communities are located in several states. However, Ohio is the company's major development area, with four assisted living facilities being located with the Columbus area and another being located in Cleveland.

"Obviously, we (the city) can't be anything but anxious to have such a facility come to the community," said Englewood Mayor Ed Kemper. "In addition to bringing jobs and services to the area, it also improves the quality of life for the residents of this community."