Bend in the Woods Estates didn't fill up quickly when it opened in 1997 as the only affordable assisted living facility in Indiana. Today, there is strong occupancy--but still no waiting list--for the unique facility operated by Area 5 Agency on Aging and Community Services.

March witnessed the release of a formal policy position paper on affordable senior housing in Michigan from the Michigan Housing Council. Entitled, "Affordable Assisted Living in Michigan," this work offers a clear delineation of the realities of the affordability landscape of assisted living throughout the state.

Presbyterian Villages of Michigan (PVM) sponsors, develops and manages retirement communities, senior housing facilities, and programs for older persons throughout the state. Senior care options include independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care.

It would be nice to imagine a world where all individuals are taken care of throughout their twilight years. In a perfect world, all seniors would have all their needs met in a manor that is affordable to them as they age.

Illinois is the most senior-friendly state in the Midwest with regard to housing, according to Jim Keledjian, principal with Pathway Senior Living, a healthcare company that develops senior housing under the low income housing tax credit program. "The State Housing Finance Authority in Illinois got involved very early with the governor and entered into a memorandum of understanding in 1999 with the Department of Public Aid and agreed to finance supportive housing or assisted living under the tax credit prog

Detroit: Two for Two, Michigan True Green, New Permanent Loans...

As the old saying goes, "People don't plan to fail, they fail to plan." This unfortunately rings true with regard to considering housing and support services for our later years of life. The truth is, there is a plethora of options to choose from for senior housing.

The Healthier Black Elders Center (HBEC), located on the campus of Wayne State University at the Institute of Gerontology is working to create a healthier Detroit. Since the turn of the century, life expectancy for all races has increased, except for African Americans. The HBEC is working to change that by focusing research on health promotion and disease and disability prevention.

Seniors have a new opportunity for housing in Brodhead and Adams/Friendship, Wisconsin. Private developer Bill Seno, along with Southwestern Community Action Program and CAP Services are bringing two 24-unit complexes to the communities, which are scheduled for completion in May 2006.