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V O L . X X I V N O. V M A R C H 5 , 2 0 1 8 18 H E A LT H C A R E F O C U S there's a fi ne line between that Yankee independence and depressing isolation, and at some point, some interaction is good for everybody." Senior housing built near elemen- tary schools has reaped benefi ts as residents interact with the students, reading to them, for instance. While those building low-income and aff ordable housing can't match the amenities at the higher-end com- plexes, Totman says emphasis is also put on art programs, gardening, cook- ing classes, community activities and technology, like the availability of wifi for telehealth. " e more active seniors are, the healthier they are and the longer they live," he says. "In the '70s, '80s and '90s we tended to build [senior housing] in more rural areas, where there was land and it was inexpensive. Now we're more thoughtful of building it where they can walk places." Attention to comfort and care In 2015, the percentage of Maine' popu- lation that was 65 or older was 19%, and growing faster than in the rest of New England or the country, according to the Plan on Aging. By 2030, projections are that 28% of Mainers will be over 65. By 2025, the Muskie School of Public Policy estimates, the number of Mainers 85 or older will have grown by 4,000. In Scarborough last fall, Piper Shores unveiled a $14 million, 43,000-square-foot Holbrook Memory Care and Assisted Living residences. e building includes 30 apartments — 14 for memory care and 16 for assisted living — as well as common rooms and areas for fi tness, crafts, cooking, reading and indoor gardening. It has 160 independent living apartments and 40 cottages, 40 skilled nursing beds and 20 assisted living apartments. Developers of both the Holbrook center at Piper Shores and Legacy Memory Care at OceanView, and other such facilities, use colors, layouts, lighting and other elements that help those with cognitive issues live longer, more comfortable lives. As Chris Wasileski stood on the patio at OceanView's Legacy center, he pointed out elements that research showed would have the best eff ect on residents' memory and comfort. Even on a gray winter day, it felt cozy and embracing, with shrubbery, benches and birdhouses. Wasileski said even the colors of the patio were researched. Piper Shores CEO Jim Adamowicz has said that the memory center was necessary to meet the health care needs of residents, but the nature of the care was also important. " e focus is on health services, but in ways that promote social inter- action, promote family interaction," Adamowicz says. Waiting for a home Portland-based Avesta received 3,784 requests for aff ordable housing in 2017. Because of scarce resources and limited turnover, 393 of those requests were fulfi lled; 1,594 households were on its waitlist in early February; 35% of those seeking housing were 55 or older. "A study a couple of years ago said we needed 9,000 more [senior units]," Avesta's Totman says. " at will grow to 15,000 in six years." In 2016, 37% of Maine seniors were low-income. at year, Maine added 110 units of low-income and aff ordable housing were added. In 2017, 66 were added, Totman said. Near Avesta's Brighton Avenue site, Seacoast, in partnership with Developer's Collaborative, is renovat- ing the former St. Joseph convent into 88 units, the majority of which will be aff ordable. John Wasileski says use of low- income and historic preservation tax credits will keep rents in the $700 to $1,100 range. A $15 million bond for senior hous- ing passed by 69% of voters in a 2015 referendum, but has not been released by the state. Each county would get a share, and the focus would be on areas that have access to services and public transportation. Like the higher-end retirement communities, Totman says, Avesta "has a huge waiting list." ere's a solution to providing more housing for the state's seniors. "We need to keep building more," he says. "I don't think it's complicated." M M, Mainebiz staff writer, can be reached at @ . » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E 35 Airport Road Brewer, Maine 04412 (207) 989-7400 www.facebook.com/NickersonODay/ 35 Airport Road Brewer, Maine 04412 (207) 989-7400 35 Airport Road Brewer, Maine 04412 (207) 989-7400 NICKERSON & O'DAY, INC. Constructors - Since 1952 www.nickoday.com The recently completed: Children's Exam Room in the new Down East Community Hospital E.R. Addition, Machias People say to me, 'Oh People say to me, 'Oh People say to me, 'Oh People say to me, 'Oh People say to me, 'Oh People say to me, 'Oh People say to me, 'Oh People say to me, 'Oh People say to me, 'Oh People say to me, 'Oh People say to me, 'Oh People say to me, 'Oh People say to me, 'Oh People say to me, 'Oh you build assisted you build assisted you build assisted you build assisted you build assisted you build assisted you build assisted you build assisted you build assisted you build assisted you build assisted you build assisted you build assisted living, you build nursing homes.' But it's more complicated than that. — Chris Wasileski Development manager for Sea Coast Management Co.

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