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                                                                    Exhibit 23.1

                         Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8) pertaining to the Sunrise Assisted Living, Inc. 2000 Stock Option Plan of
our report dated March 8, 2000, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of Sunrise Assisted Living, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form
10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1999, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

                                                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

McLean, VA
June 2, 2000



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