Manteno Property Celebrates Anniversary

Heritage Woods of Manteno, a Gardant affordable assisted living community, celebrated a decade of serving seniors and their families this month.

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

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

manteno-iconWithin a month, 58 of the 66 assisted living apartments were filled, and before long, there was a wait list. Expansion plans were made before the original building opened. 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 was the first 10-year celebration the company has had since changing its 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 Heritage Woods of 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, said Administrator Beverly Fetherling.

manteno-staffThe 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.

“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.

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.