Chestnut Lane dodges parent company’s woes

Care facility for the deaf adapts to changes

By Shannon Wells

The Gresham Outlook, Sep 2, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009

JIM CLARK / Gresham Outlook

Chestnut Lane director Sherry Andrus, left, talks with employee Sandra Kindblade. At one point Kindblade was concerned about non-deaf residents moving into the facility, but she is coming around to the idea.

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In the five years Sandra Kindblade has worked at Chestnut Lane, ownership of the Gresham assisted living facility for the deaf and deaf-blind changed three times.

As much as she concentrates on her role as medical assistant, Kindblade, who is deaf, can’t help but worry about what changes may result when a new company steps in.

“I’ve learned to focus on my job,” she said through American Sign Language interpreted by Chestnut Lane Administrator Sherry Andrus. “I’m concerned, but I try to stay positive.”

As one of only three facilities in the country that caters to deaf adults (the other two are in Ohio and Massachusetts), the facility at 1219 N.E. Sixth St. depends on strong support from its parent company as well as intense dedication from its employees, many of whom are deaf themselves.

Now that Salem-based Sunwest Management Inc., which purchased Chestnut Lane in February, is experiencing well-publicized financial problems, it’s getting harder for Andrus and her colleagues to remain confident in the future of the closely knit community.

No one from Sunwest or its affiliate company, Canyon Creek Development affiliate, has indicated publicly the facility would close. However, the recent addition of hearing residents, along with the addition of Paul Nettland, a marketing specialist with Canyon Creek, at Chestnut Lane means the facility’s deaf culture could be changing fast.

After repeated attempts to contact Sunwest officials, The Outlook received no statement or information by press time. However, Andrus emphasized that despite whatever troubles the parent company may be experiencing, there have been no staff cuts or compromises in residents’ care.

“We’re pulling together,” she said. “We’re still here, the staff is providing awesome care. In one form or another, we’re still going strong.”

Andrus left Chestnut Lane in April 2007 and was lured back when Sunwest took over this year. Despite her strong affinity for the deaf — although hearing, Andrus learned American Sign Language at age 6 — she admits it’s a challenge to incorporate hearing and deaf culture at the same care facility. For example, both the facility’s pastor and activities director are deaf.

“When I left, we had 65 deaf residents. When I came back, we had 49 residents, including 13 hearing,” she said, noting that the facility has had vacancies since it opened in 2003. “The majority of the staff is deaf. What happens when someone has a need or issue? It’s a different culture to communicate with.”

Man with a marketing mission

Paul Nettland of Canyon Creek came on board in late August. He was charged with filling Chestnut Lane’s 15 vacant rooms to augment its current occupancy of 55.

“When (Sunwest) bought the building, it was at about 70 percent occupancy,” he said. “That’s not going to pay the bills very well. I’ve come in to give them an extra body, bring in a few more ideas and see what we can do to get (Chestnut Lane) full.”

Nettland says he wants nothing more than to preserve the facility’s unique role as a haven for deaf seniors, but is realistic about fulfilling immediate needs. He acknowledges that Chestnut Lane’s existing staff covers marketing to the international deaf community.

“I personally want to see this moving forward as a deaf and deaf-blind facility,” he said. “As far as integrating both communities, it’s completely plausible that we can do that. This is a very talented, caring staff and administration. I’m very confident they can do that. It’s just going to take some extra effort to get there.”

For his part, Nettland said he’s doing all he can to stay out of Andrus’ way, while reaching out to residents to make sure they’re comfortable during this transitional period.

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