Baby Boomers can take at least some of the credit for the roaring increase in senior housing. The huge number of people now at mid-life have to live somewhere when they age, a fact that has sent developers on a construction spree that should last for the next several decades.
The building boom is being charted by the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA), Washington, D.C. The group recently published a report on senior housing that says construction of units specifically designed for the elderly is up 11 percent from last year.
The report counts 50,667 senior housing units under construction nationwide. About 25 percent of those units are in Texas, Florida and California.
Under way in Illinois are 10 new projects, eight of which are in the Chicago area. The state ranked 14th in the number of new units, with 1,438 being built.
The ASHA survey says assisted-living facilities are the most common type of senior housing being built, representing 76 percent of the total. Market-rate apartments (the group does not track government-subsidized buildings) represent only 6 percent of all new seniors-only projects being built.
Also, the number of new rental apartments fell slightly this year, to 2,803 units in 1998 from 2,823 units in 1997.
Locally, here are some senior housing options to check out:
– Brookdale Living Communities Inc., has acquired an eight-acre parcel in Huntley for the development of an independent- and assisted-living facility.
The five-story, 300,000-square-foot senior residential building will be part of the big master-planned community in the far northwest suburban community. Phase one, which will break ground in 1999, will include 175 units.
The building will have independent- and assisted-living style accommodations ranging from studios to one- and two-bedroom apartments. The building will also include a library, bank, club rooms, billiard room, pool, spa and activity center.
The Huntley development will be the seventh community in the Chicago area for the company. Brookdale President and Chief Executive Mark J. Schulte likes the location because of its proximity to the new Del Webb active adult community being built in Huntley. For more information, call Brookdale at 312-977-3700.
– The Altenheim in Forest Park is in the process of converting itself from a nursing home into a continuing-care community. The 113-year-old facility, located on 15 acres, has added 20 independent-living apartments known as the Arborwood Apartments. There is no entrance fee. Monthly rents range from $850 to $1,400, depending on the size of the unit. Meals and weekly housekeeping are available.
Marketing director Judith Bush says an assisted-living component will be added to the community soon.
“The Altenheim has always cared for the elderly and now we will be able to offer a continuum of care,” she said. For more information on the Arborwood Apartments, call 708-366-2206.
– The Mather Foundation, a non-profit organization, has been updating several of its properties. The Georgian, an independent-living facility in Evanston, has about 60 percent of its units finished. Residents pay a monthly service fee and entrance fee, which entitles them to 100 days of nursing care at Wagner Health Center in Evanston. After that, residents pay 85 percent of the daily rate at the Health Center.
The Mather, another Evanston facility owned by the Mather Foundation, has been converted from an independent-living community to an assisted-living facility. There is no entrance fee. Monthly service charges range from $2,200 to $4,410, depending on the size of the unit and the services needed. For more information on Mather Foundation communities, call 847-492-8100.
– Saddlebrook Farms, an active adult community in far north suburban Grayslake, has sold 460 of its 585 home sites. The community is built on 700 acres and includes four small lakes. Buyers can pick a site and their own home design. The community doesn’t include a golf course, but offers lawn mowing, snow removal, walking trails and paddle boats.
Ranch style homes range in price from about $96,500 to $174,900. For more information, call Saddlebrook Farms at 847-223-6000.
– Holly Court Terrace in downtown Oak Park has 178 units for the elderly. Most are for independent living, but 18 units provide “supportive” care, a little less than what an assisted-living facility supplies. Monthly rents range from $1,695 to $1,990 for a one-bedroom apartment. Two-bedroom apartments are $2,280 to $2,950. There is no entrance fee, but a security deposit is required.
Residents get 20 meals a month. A nurse or physician visits the building Monday through Friday. For more information, call 708-383-2063.
Resources
Social service agencies can help in your search for senior housing. Here are a few to contact:
– Council for Jewish Elderly, 3003 W. Touhy Ave., Chicago, IL 60645, 773-508-1000.
– DuPage Senior Citizens Council, 2200 S. Main 308, Lombard, IL 60148, 630-620-0804.
– Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, 6650 N. Northwest Highway, Suite 302, Chicago, IL 60631, 773-774-6959.
– Plows Council on Aging, 4700 W. 95th St., 106, Oak Lawn, IL 60453, 708-422-6722.
– Senior Services Associates, 3519 N. Richmond Rd., McHenry, IL 60050, 815-344-3555.
– Catholic Charities, 126 N. Desplaines St., Chicago, IL 60661, 312-655-7717.
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Jane Adler is a Chicago-area freelance writer. If you have questions or information to share regarding housing for senior citizens, write to Senior Housing c/o Chicago Tribune Real Estate Section, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611. Or e-mail adler@megsinet.net.
