Sunrise Assisted Living plans Hermosa Beach facility Sunrise Assisted Living began construction of a $7 million, two-story facility on Pacific Coast Highway in Hermosa Beach, Calif. The 55,000 sq. ft., wood frame coastal craftsman building design will feature 80 suites ranging from 260 sq. ft. to 500 sq. ft. with ocean views. The facility is the prototype of Sunrise's full dining experience with an upscale restaurant serving three meals a day along with a 24-hour snack service. A special neighborhood for the memory impaired also is planned.

Sunrise, a $700 million company with 68 communities in 13 states, entered the California market in October 1998. The company plans additional California residences in Riverside and Carlsbad and 29 residences in the Midwest.

HCFA hardens stance on abuse in nursing homes The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) has released a four-point plan to reduce abuse and neglect in nursing homes.

The first new regulation mandates stiffer fines on problem nursing homes and gives states the power to recommend fines of up to $10,000 for individual health and safety violations. It also allows regulators to issue fines without waiting for facilities to correct violations. HCFA officials say simply fixing a violation will no longer void a fine.

States also must now investigate allegations of abuse within 10 working days and add confirmed violations to a compliance database HCFA uses to track nursing homes.

The third part of HCFA's plan is a multimedia campaign to disseminate information about spotting and preventing abuse. HCFA will distribute printed material on how to select nursing homes and will distribute videos and posters about how to prevent abuse.

Lastly, the agency unveiled its Website containing information from the latest state inspections of Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing homes. This information can be accessed at www.medicare.gov under the heading "Nursing Home Compare."

Atria, Levine open Seniors Quarters in Queens Atria Senior Quarters and Levine Builders opened the Senior Quarters at Kew Gardens,.

The nine-story tower features 143 units. Prices for a one-bedroom apartment range from range from $3,500 to $3,600 a month. A two-bedroom shared apartment is $2,370 a month per person. A single person in a two-bedroom apartment will pay $3,925 a month. Alzheimer's studio apartments are $3,875 a month. Amenities include hotel-style housekeeping, linen and laundry services, 24-hour security and planned activities and social events.

Atria Senior Quarters will operate the facility, which won the Queens Chamber of Commerce 1998 Building award. Atria currently operates 100 assisted and independent living communities in 26 states and currently has 25 properties under construction.

ALC finishing national program with Walken Development Co. Portland, Ore.-based Assisted Living Concepts is finishing its national expansion program with Chicago-based Walken Development Co.

Walken has developed 65 assisted living facilities for ALC during the past three years. They include 26 properties in Indiana; 18 in Ohio; 11 in South Carolina; eight in New Jersey; and two in Georgia. Walken also is developing five additional properties for ALC.

ALC currently operates more than 190 assisted living facilities in 12 states for people who do not need full-time nursing care.

ALFA releases assisted living regulatory overview The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) has released its first regulatory overview, "Assisted Living Regulations: A State by State Profile."

"Each state has its own way of regulating the industry," says Karen Wayne, ALFA president and CEO. "We expect this book to serve as an effective navigation tool for anyone doing business in assisted living."

The book includes state requirements regarding definitions, admission/retention, involuntary discharges, termination, eviction, allowed or required services, limitation of services, staffing requirements, administrators' requirements, assessments, and medication administration or assistance. It also provides contact information for all relevant state regulatory agencies and a summary of state regulatory trends.

The book is available through ALFA and is $30 for ALFA members and $50 for non-members.

Grand Court Lifestyles nets financing with KeyBank Grand Court Lifestyles Inc. has received funding from KeyBank for the construction of two new rental retirement communities in Texas.

The Grand Court Greatwood facility in Sugarland will feature 126 units, while The Grand Court facility in Amarillo will feature 134 units. Both will offer independent and assisted living services. Amenities include a barber shop, library, billiards room, and men's and women's card rooms.

Grand Court Lifestyles currently operates 48 communities in 14 states.