The Sisters of St. Joseph are evaluating the potential sale of Saint Mary's at Asbury Ridge and the Sisters' Community Living Center (CLC) to LECOM Health, according to a news release Thursday.

The due diligence or information gathering process will last several months. It also requires several regulatory and canonical approvals and meeting other conditions in the sale agreement.

Members of the Saint Mary's Board of Trustees said the era of independent, stand-alone senior living facilities has passed, and they saw the need for Saint Mary's to join forces with others providers to ensure its long-term viability.

LECOM Health currently operates 10 senior living communities in the region including independent living, personal care, assisted living apartments and skilled nursing care.