Beverly Donaldson, a registered nurse, while working as a nursing supervisor at a full skilled nursing facility, “nursing home” in 1986, witnessed firsthand the environment our seniors were living in and had a vision of another option where they could live in a homelike setting, not an institutionalized one. This was the springboard of the idea she took to her father, Jerry McClain, a local developer and general contractor known for quality construction and his business acumen in their hometown community.

With the possessed knowledge of their respective professions, the many business contacts Jerry had and Bev’s numerous contacts with local physicians, several focus group meetings were organized. They were held at the Ohio State University campus in Newark, Ohio, to assist in determining the building style, the services provided and the amenities desired. At the conclusion of these meetings and after extensive research a business model and floor plan were developed to provide assistance to those who had medical needs and also for those who needed an atmosphere conducive for socialization. Their philosophy would be to enrich the physical and social lifestyles of the seniors living with them by providing the utmost in personalized care and services.

In November of 1987, The Inn at SharonBrooke opened and was the first free standing assisted living facility in Ohio. At that time there were virtually no regulations governing the operation of an assisted living facility. Bev and her team helped pioneer the rules and regulations that are being used today for licensing and operating assisted living. Bev was past Chairperson for the Ohio Assisted Living Association and continues to serve on its governing board as a trustee.

The success of SharonBrooke along with the complete development package offered got the attention of other healthcare professionals and led McClain and Donaldson to develop facilities in other parts of Ohio using the model of SharonBrooke along with local ownership from each community.

This model also captured the attention of a national assisted living company which acquired several of their properties and who also entered into a “full Turnkey” contract. The turnkey services included the entire building completed with all furnishings and supplies, all operational policy and procedure manuals fully licensed and ready to move in residents.

Since that time, they have developed a total of eighteen facilities. They continue to develop both for themselves and for those who desire their turnkey services.

Their nineteenth project, The Inn at Olentangy Trail in Delaware, Ohio is under construction and will open in early summer of 2011.