BMA – Assisted Living Facility – Active Adult Communities

A ground breaking ceremony was held on April 20 to mark the start of construction of Affordable Memory Care at Heritage Woods of South Elgin.

“We are proud to have been selected by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services to develop one of the five Affordable Memory Care pilot projects that have been approved to operate under the state’s Supportive Living program,” says Rod Burkett, Chief Executive Officer and President of BMA Management, Ltd. “We hope Affordable Memory Care can be expanded throughout the State.”

The development of Affordable Memory Care is part of an $8.4 million expansion of Heritage Woods of South Elgin, which is located in Kane County at corner of McLean Blvd. and Bowes Rd. in South Elgin, Illinois.

BMA has managed the Affordable Assisted Living community since it opened for occupancy in the summer of 2009.

“We are building 32 Affordable Memory Care apartments in two neighborhoods,” says Burkett. These apartments are designed to serve adults 65 and older of all incomes, including those on Medicaid, with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia.

We also are adding 18 Affordable Assisted Living apartments to the campus, which will make Heritage Woods of South Elgin our largest campus, says Burkett.

All of the new apartments are scheduled to open for occupancy later this year. Reservations are being accepted.

“While we certainly are proud of the brick and mortar here at Heritage Woods, we are even prouder of all of the staff members who provide residents with Love, Compassion & Dignity each and every day,” says Burkett. They help to truly make Heritage Woods a wonderful alternative to living in a nursing home or to struggling alone at home.

“With the expansion, we will be adding about 35 new jobs on top of the 65 that are here now,” says Burkett.

“We are in the business of touching the human spirit,” said Trish Uttich, Administrator of Heritage Woods of South Elgin. “Thank you to the people who had this vision.”

Dean Thornton, who is President of the Resident Council at Heritage Woods, added that “I am so proud that my wife and I are residents here. We are very fortunate.”

Among those also on hand at the Groundbreaking Ceremony were Jeanette Mihalec, Vice President of Membership for the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Kane County Board, and Tom Van Cleave, a member of the Kane County Board.

The Affordable Memory Care apartments will be named White Oaks at Heritage Woods of South Elgin, Burkett noted. “The White Oak stands strong and proud and grows taller as it ages. The tree is well-rooted and does not lose its identity as the seasons change.”

“The colors of the White Oak leaves in the logo for the Affordable Memory Care apartments reflect the change of season inherent in the dementia disease process. Although the seasons change, we remain who we are – strong, proud and rooted in family history and love. It is our mission as caregivers to touch lives and preserve dignity through each season.”

During the groundbreaking ceremony, Burkett extended a special thank you to the Mayor of South Elgin and to village officials and staff for their help in the effort to expand Heritage Woods.

There is a tremendous need for the new apartments, said Burkett. There are 33 people on the Waiting List for the Affordable Assisted Living apartments and 29 people on the Interest List for the 32 Affordable Memory Care apartments.

More information can be obtained by calling 847-531-8360.

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(From left) Craig Livermore of BMA Management; Rod Burkett, CEO and President of BMA Management; Michael Dean Chorneyko of Michael Raymond Custom Homes, LLC, of St. Charles, Illinois; George Dinges of Development Services Group, Inc., of Springfield, Illinois; and Raymond Shafer of Michael Raymond Custom Homes.