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Highlands Today

New Centers Prepare For Baby Boomers

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By Bill Rettew Jr. | Highlands Today

Published: December 2, 2007

LAKE PLACID — Local builder Chuck Oakes is poised to capitalize on the steady graying of county residents.

On Tuesday, Oakes threw open the doors during a grand opening of a $6.5 million, 50,000 square foot, assisted living facility, located just north of town on U.S. 27.

Oakes said he expected to open immediately after gaining state approval within 15 to 30 days for the Southern Lifestyle Assisted Living Facility.

Oakes is not alone in an effort to capitalize locally on demographics that point to a large senior population in the county. Statistics provided by the U.S. Census Bureau show that 35 percent of Highlands County's residents are 65 and older, with a state average of 16.8 percent.

George Hougthon, Inc., broke ground this year on Windsor Lakeside Village, a 70,000 square foot retirement community, with 129 independent living suites and 26 townhomes.

Windsor Lakeside Village is located on County Road 621, on the shores of Lake Huntley.

Sandy Foster, executive director of NU-HOPE, cited a large number of area seniors who should keep the new centers busy.

"The baby boom population has reached that age and there is a desperate need — a demanding need," said Foster. "We're all hopefully living longer."

More than 50 percent of the units at Southern Lifestyle are already reserved, and the company receives five phone inquiries per day from prospective residents, although Oakes said there was no promotional campaign.

The new center will feature pastel colored, themed hallways in seaside, light house and country styles, including a separate and secure Alzheimer's section.

Foster lauded recent improvements at the two new assisted living centers.

"For the residents, this is their home," said the NU-HOPE executive director. "Anything the builder's can do to make it better so they can live with dignity."

Oakes said more than half of an eventual staff of 48 full-time employees composed of Highlands County residents have been hired.

Residents will be able to choose individually prepared meals from a dietitian-approved menu. Large-screen televisions, a pool table, a shuffle board court, card tables, several outdoor gazebos, a miniature golf course, lawn bowling, croquet courts, a butterfly garden and a maze for Alzheimer patients are planned.

Facility prices: Double shared room — $2,000 per month for each person; short singles — $2,400 per month; and Alzheimer's unit, single rooms for $2,900 per month; and $2,400 for each person, shared.

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