After 15 years, the Bowen Center will return the use of the Shard Rest Home back to the Marshall County Commissioners.
During Monday’s commissioner meeting Kurt Carlson said, “I believe the Bowen Center has been a good steward of the Shady Rest Home, keeping it in good repair and appearance over the last 15 years that we have operated the facility.” He said not only have they done routine maintenance, repairs and cleaning but invested approximately $925,000 of improvements. Carlson noted that some of the upgrades were completed using grants.
Over the past 15 years approximately 200 adults have been served at the Bowen Center with various lengths of stays.
Carlson said new regulations passed by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services a couple years ago were implemented by the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction. He said all Bowen Center offices and residential facilities met the new standards expect for Shady Rest Home. Realizing they wouldn’t get approved for a waiver it was decided that residents should be transitioned out to other facilities that would meet their needs. It’s anticipated everyone will be out by the end of June.
In July the county will regain control of the building including utility bills and maintenance costs.
Commissioner Kevin Overmyer said a committee was created to assist with the transition from Shady Rest Home to the Bowen Center. He suggested creating another committee to seek avenues to find an appropriate non-profit to use the facility. Overmyer said, “I believe we can re-purpose the building for something useful.”
