Dear CALA Members,
As you may know, last week we received some very troubling news that criminal charges had been filed against Silverado, CEO Loren Shook, Vice President Kim Butrum and former Beverly Place administrator Jason Russo. The case centers on events that occurred in the early days of the pandemic during March 2020.
Those of us in Assisted Living saw first-hand the heartbreaking reality of what a global pandemic can bring. In particular, we want to extend our deep and sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the employee and residents of Beverly Place over the tragic losses they are living with today. We all continue to acknowledge the sadness and grief that has deeply impacted all of our communities even as the pandemic has wound down.
We recognize the incredible sacrifices made by our Assisted Living and Memory Care front line workers, particularly those who showed up every day, continuing to serve residents with incredible skill and tenderness in uncertain, stressful times. These individual heroes are often unrecognized, and they continue to deserve our gratitude and respect.
As we process the recent news involving Silverado, we should take a step back and provide some background on Silverado’s legacy and a reminder of the steadfast support their leadership has provided toward the betterment of Assisted Living and Memory Care. Silverado has a strong track record of accomplishment in developing options for seniors that preserve dignity and independence. They have been regular contributors to the overall success and popularity of Assisted Living and Memory Care models that emphasize quality, personalized care. For decades, Silverado has been involved with state and national organizations that support seniors living with disheartening and often complicated diagnoses.
Importantly, Loren Shook, Kim Butrum and Jason Russo have all consistently demonstrated the importance of training and support for their caregivers, including attendance at CALA conferences and trainings. They have supported CALA and championed our efforts to ensure that our members have access to information on best practices and compliance issues. Loren, Kim and Jason are not only our colleagues, but they are respected leaders and experts in Assisted Living and Memory Care.
In the coming weeks, you will likely see continued news coverage of this case as it moves through the legal process. We remain deeply concerned about the unwarranted charges brought in the case and remain hopeful for a resolution that exonerates Silverado and these industry leaders.
Sincerely,
The CALA Board of Directors
