DIOCESE EXPLORING HOUSING: Option for middle class being weighed

While Catholic Charities has a well established housing program for low-income individuals, the needs of middle-class seniors were not being met.

"The Bishop was hearing from parish communities," said Joseph Pofit, who was recently hired as director of long-term-care campuses and senior housing for the Diocese. "They were concerned in terms of the middle class. They wanted to know what the Diocese could do for them in developing faith-based housing."

The answer is coming soon in the form of a 10-acre "campus" that will be a continuing care retirement community.

Growing need

According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the number of people aged 65 or older was 34.4 million in 1998, representing 12.7 percent of the U.S. population. Approximately one in eight Americans is over age 65. The number of older Americans increased by 3.2 million, or 10 percent, since 1990.

As the number of older persons is increasing, so, too, are the ages to which they are living. According to the AARP, in 1998 the 65-74 age group was eight times larger than in 1900, the 75-84 age group was 16 times larger, and the 85-plus group was 33 times larger.

As "baby boomers" age, the demand for senior housing will be even greater. By planning for these needs now, the Diocese will be better able to meet future needs, said Mr. Pofit.

Community feeling

"This will be an entry fee community that will be unique," he said. "It will have a strong orientation to the mission and values of the Catholic Church."

Mr. Pofit encourages seniors who are currently researching housing options to investigate what the Diocese is planning.

"We urge anyone that is currently going through a process of deciding to move into an any existing or under-construction retirement community to delay that decision until they have seen the program we will be announcing shortly," he said. "We think they will be impressed."

Part of continuum

"The Diocese could have a very comprehensive service system for older adults," he said.

The Diocesan Community Health Alliance united the Diocese, Catholic Charities, parishes, schools, Catholic-sponsored hospitals and nursing homes, religious orders, and homecare agencies in promoting a continuum of health care services.

Mr. Pofit's job is to bring these same partners together in order to meet the senior housing needs that exist. He believes that all of the partners will benefit from this effort.

"All of the Catholic sponsors of this initiative are convinced that if such a coordinated effort can be done and serve a good part of the Diocese, everybody will benefit," he said.

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