Samaritan Health Services announced in a press release on Jan. 15, they will continue to operate Wiley Creek Community in Sweet Home as an independent and assisted living facility.
“We’ve heard the concerns from the Wiley Creek residents and the Sweet Home community,” said Larry A. Mullins, president and CEO of Samaritan Health Services. “Out of sincere respect and concern for the residents of Wiley Creek and their families, we will continue our assisted living operations and will look for ways to add to those services on the campus.
Mullins said Samaritan still intends to establish a 15-bed treatment facility, open to anyone in need, including those served by Medicare and/or the Oregon Health Plan (IHN-CCO), and will explore other location options to develop the program in the region. Several feasible options have been presented since making the original announcement to transition Wiley Creek just a few days ago.
“Alcohol and drug treatment is a critical, high-priority health care need in our communities,” said Mullins. “We are committed to working with our partners to address this need in the most effective manner possible.”
“We sincerely regret the anxiety created for residents and families,” Mullins said. “We remain committed to serving our Wiley Creek residents and we will work hard to reestablish our relationship and good faith with the Sweet Home community.”
The New Era is following up on this story.