A Decade of Love, Compassion & Dignity

Heritage Woods of Benton, a BMA affordable assisted living community, celebrated its 10th Anniversary last week. The community serves seniors of all incomes. Read this week’s Blog to learn more.

By Rick Banas of assisted living provider BMA Management, Ltd.

Heritage Woods of Benton - Exterior Front Entry

What a difference ten years makes.

When we were here ten years ago, the WOW story was the opening of an 80,000-square-foot building on what was an open field just blocks east of Franklin Hospital, said Rod Burkett as the Heritage Woods of Benton affordable assisted living community celebrated its 10th Anniversary last week.

Rod is President and CEO of BMA Management, Ltd., which has managed Heritage Woods of Benton since it opened for occupancy in August 2003.

The community serves older adults who need some help to maintain their independence.

Ten years later, the new WOW story is that more than 500 individuals have been able to call Heritage Woods of Benton home. They have enjoyed a lifestyle that combines residential apartment-home living with the availability of personal assistance, help with medications, and support services such as housekeeping, laundry and three daily meals.

Residents also benefit from all of the opportunities that are available to socialize with friends and neighbors and participate in social and recreational activities.

In addition, Rod noted, thousands of family members have benefited from the peace of mind and security of knowing that their family members have been able to live here.

Heritage Woods of Benton 10 Year Anniversary - Nicole Garrett and Ruth Brooks
Administrator Nicole Garrett &
Resident Ruth Brooks (L to R)

Our company was created with the mission of providing Love, Compassion & Dignity to older adults of all incomes.

Heritage Woods of Benton is one of 36 senior living communities managed by BMA that are certified to operate through the Illinois Supportive Living program.

The Supportive Living program is the best affordable assisted living program in the nation, Rod emphasized.

He thanked Illinois State Rep. Mike Bost, who was in attendance for the 10th Anniversary celebration, for his on-going support of Supportive Living.

Mike represents the 115th District in the Illinois House.

Supportive Living is “the right way to go,” Rep. Bost said.

It provides a wonderful alternative to a nursing home and saves both the State and the Federal government money over the cost of nursing home care. In addition, the program makes it possible for private investors and private companies to provide the housing and services.

Heritage Woods provides an invaluable service to seniors, truly providing a home away from home, said Gary Kraft, Mayor of Benton. |Town History|

As part of the Anniversary celebration, Heritage Woods honored two residents and four employees who have been with the community all ten years.

The employees who were recognized are Mary Curl, certified nursing assistant, who also was celebrating her wedding anniversary on the day of the 10th Anniversary party; Kim Hickam, certified nursing assistant; John David, cook; and Laura Potts, dietary manager.

Heritage Woods of Benton 10 Year Anniversary - 10 Year Staff
Laura Potts | Kim Hickam
Mary Curl | John David (L to R)

Both residents who were recognized, Ruth Brooks and Josephine Allen, moved into Heritage Woods of Benton on the day it opened for occupancy.

Ruth moved in when she was 84 years of age. She feels the affordable assisted living community is a good place to live.

She has been a member of the Heritage Woods Wii bowling team and continues to lead an active lifestyle through reading, sewing, quilting and painting. Her handiworks decorate her apartment.

She says she has no plans of stopping anytime soon.


All affordable assisted living communities managed by BMA Management, Ltd. are certified and surveyed by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. All assisted living communities are licensed and surveyed by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

“BMA Management, Ltd. is the leading provider of assisted living in Illinois
and one of the 20 largest providers of assisted living in the United States.”

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Gardant Management Solutions has 20+ years of industry-acclaimed operational history in developing, managing and consulting for senior living, assisted living and memory care communities.