Written by Administrator Friday, 22 January 2010 14:27
As the senior citizen population in Southern Illinois continues to grow, ensuring that seniors can obtain the proper care they need is becoming a more pressing issue. Recently, I attended a press conference where Governor Quinn announced that a local supportive living facility (SLF) in Marion would be the recipient of $7.5 million in state and federal funding. These funds are going to be used for the construction of the facility, River to River Residential Community of Marion. In total, the Illinois Finance Authority (IFA) provided $5.7 million in financing to build the facility and an additional $1.8 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds, provided through the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), helped secure more than $2 million of equity for the development.
I have fought hard over my legislative career to promote the well-being of seniors in our district and caring for them will continue to remain a top priority. I first became involved with supportive living and assisted living communities when I went with former Senator Larry Woolard to visit his mother at a local assisted living center in Herrin. During our visit, I talked with the residents, saw how their rooms were set up and looked at what types of activities and programs were offered by the facility. Needless to say, the experience definitely had a lasting, positive impact on me. I was extremely impressed with the care that the residents received as well as the independence they promoted at the center. After that short visit, I was convinced that these communities were a great thing for Southern Illinois and it would greatly benefit our state if more of these communities were developed.
According to the Department of Public Health, there are currently 14 supportive living and assisted living facilities in our district with two more having approved applications for future construction. Many families are often hesitant to look into retirement community living, but supportive living communities are a great option that offer outstanding care for their residents, support active involvement in the community and promote participation in other social activities. Recently, the governor proclaimed 2010 as the "Year of the Engaged Older Adult." These senior communities certainly promote engagement and allow Southern Illinois’ senior citizens to maintain their independence while still having a caregiver nearby. When I was faced with this often-difficult decision myself, I had little hesitation about mentioning a supportive living facility to my mother because of the positive experience I had during my visit with former Senator Woolard in the past.
The construction of new senior housing developments in Southern Illinois is an encouraging step in the right direction. Not only will it create jobs for our community and promote economic growth, but more importantly, it allows us to show our gratitude and appreciation for senior citizens in our community. They have devoted their lives to improving our state and we need to ensure that our seniors have affordable, quality housing after retirement. During the upcoming session, I will continue to work with legislators at the Capitol to promote senior citizens’ rights and ensure they get the quality care they need and housing they deserve.