Heritage Woods Meets Demand for Senior Housing

The 10th anniversary celebration for Heritage Woods of Manteno provided an opportunity to look back at where the community has been and look ahead to its future of serving older adults with love, compassion and dignity.

By Amber Springer of Gardant Management Solutions Heritage Woods of Manteno - Image Logo Icon

When Heritage Woods of Manteno opened its doors 10 years ago, it was clear that the community would be a much needed resource for seniors.

No one realized just how large the demand would be though.

Within a month, 58 of the 66 assisted living apartments were filled, and before long, there was a waitlist. Construction hadn’t even finished on the original building, and plans were being made to expand. Years later, that demand is still there, and the community is always full.

“You didn’t make a mistake when you chose Manteno,” Mayor Tim Nugent told a crowd that gathered for the community’s 10th anniversary celebration last week. “Manteno is the right spot. The fact that you had all those people waiting to move in before you opened is a testament to this community and to the need for the services it provides.”

Because of Heritage Woods, the mayor said, residents who grew up and raised their families in town know they won’t have to go far to enjoy their golden years.

“We are very honored to be here for this celebration,” said Rod Burkett, President and CEO of Gardant Management Solutions. “We’ve been here since the beginning, providing love, compassion and dignity for residents.”

Heritage Woods of Manteno was the 10th community Gardant, formerly BMA Management, opened in Illinois. This is the first 10-year celebration we’ve had since changing our name.

“We’re still the same company. We have the same mission, but with a new name to help us with our platform as we grow our business beyond the boundaries of Illinois,” Burkett explained. “We are committed to providing an assisted living environment that offers care to seniors of all incomes.”

In the past decade, more than 500 seniors have lived at our affordable assisted living community in Manteno.

Two residents – Virginia Biesendorfer and Edith Paschke – were recognized at the anniversary party. Both women moved into the community after realizing they needed some help to maintain their independence. A decade later, they say they are still as happy as they were the first day they walked into Heritage Woods. The community is filled with friends, love and laughter – and for them, it’s home.

Marcia Langellier, a certified nursing assistant, was honored for 10 years of service as well. Marcia and the other employees at Heritage Woods have dedicated their lives to giving residents the care and assistance they need to maintain their independence, said Administrator Beverly Fetherling.

Head staff at Heritage Woods of Manteno
Heritage Woods of Manteno Department Heads

The community currently employs more than 50 people and has provided more than $8.5 million in payroll over the years.

The Illinois Supportive Living Program, which makes it possible for Heritage Woods to serve seniors of all incomes, has grown to include 144 properties with 12,000 apartments. By 2020, a third of the U.S. population will need senior services, said Wayne Smallwood, executive director of the Affordable Assisted Living Coalition (AALC).

“Heritage Woods of Manteno is part of the solution and continues to provide much-needed services to older adults. This building is a wonderful asset to the community,” Smallwood said.

“In our industry, one of the measures we use to determine the quality of a place is, ‘Would you allow your mother to live there?’ No one does it better than Gardant Management Solutions. My own mother lives in supportive living in Decatur, Illinois, so I can tell you, the answer is yes. I’m proud of Gardant, and I’m proud of the Supportive Living Program.”

To see more photos from the anniversary celebration, visit the Heritage Woods of Manteno Facebook page.


All affordable assisted living communities managed by Gardant Management Solutions 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.

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

What are your thoughts? Leave a comment and let us know.

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.