Nonprofit Catholic senior living and care ministry Franciscan Ministries is expanding two of its campuses to appeal to the new generation of older adults moving into senior living.
“People are making decisions about senior living much earlier than they did even a decade ago,” Franciscan Ministries Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Lindsey Lavery said. “They’re looking for communities that reflect how they want to live — not simply where they may someday receive care.
West Lafayette, IN, continuing care retirement / life plan community University Place is one of the communities where changes are occurring. Sixty-two new independent living residences are being added, as well as a town center and enhanced amenities, the operator announced Monday.
“At University Place, we’re investing in far more than new residences,” Jeanne Smith, director of sales and marketing for the community, said in a statement, “We’re creating opportunities for current and future residents to build meaningful relationships, pursue their passions and enjoy an active lifestyle while knowing compassionate care is available whenever it’s needed.”
The new town center will include gathering spaces and multiple dining venues, featuring Kitchen, Franciscan Ministries’ hospitality-inspired dining experience, offering chef-prepared meals, fresh ingredients and flexible dining options.
Outdoor areas will be added to bolster connections to the community’s 60-acre campus and neighboring Celery Bog Nature Area.
“As the needs of older adults continue to evolve, so must the communities that serve them,” Lavery said. “This expansion reflects our commitment to creating environments where residents can live with greater purpose, connection and joy while ensuring University Place remains a trusted resource for generations to come.”
The Veridian
Franciscan Ministries also is expanding its Lemont, IL, CCRC, Franciscan Village, with the addition of The Veridian, the provider announced Tuesday. The expansion, previewed in September, will introduce new independent living residences and cottage-style homes as part of a broader campus enhancement.
The CCRC will add 92 independent living apartment homes, each ranging from 875 to 1,585 square feet, along with a newly envisioned town center meant to be “the social heart of the community,” the organization said.
The town center will feature hospitality-inspired spaces, including multiple dining experiences, a café and bar, private dining spaces, wellness and fitness amenities, creative arts spaces, a library, a clubroom, a game room and the SkyView Lounge, offering panoramic views of the 30-acre campus and the distant Chicago skyline. A landscaped courtyard will feature outdoor dining, walking paths and gathering spaces.
“Franciscan Village has always been a place where relationships matter and where every resident is encouraged to live life fully,” Franciscan Ministries President and CEO Regina Umanskiy said in a statement. The Veridian at Franciscan Village reflects our commitment to creating spaces that inspire connection, promote well-being and allow residents to continue writing meaningful chapters of their lives. Every decision has been guided by our belief that joy should be experienced every day.”
Remaining true to mission
Franciscan Ministries said that each of its communities is guided by its Living Joyfully philosophy, which aims to blend wellness, hospitality and purpose into everyday life.
The addition of The Veridian at Franciscan Village allows the organization to meet consumers’ changing expectations “while remaining true to the mission, values and sense of belonging that have always defined Franciscan Village,” Lavery said.
Franciscan Ministries, sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago, offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, post-acute rehabilitation and community-based services. In addition, the organization provides third-party management services through Franciscan Advisory Services, a senior housing consulting and real estate development organization that designs, develops, markets and operates a multi-brand portfolio of senior living communities.
