CHICAGO: Hoffman Estate will soon have the distinction of being the first Chicago suburb to house the first of its type senior retirement housing facility for people migrating from Indian sub continent
Away from their home and hearth, many of these seniors find it hard to adapt or adjust to the way of living in the newly adopted land. Feeling isolated and lonely, they at times get dejected and depressed.
A few senior centers set up by well meaning Indian community activists do help them to an extent but that amounts to, many feel, addressing the symptoms rather than treating the diseases as such – touching an outside of the problem and not the problem itself. Ideally a community living facility that underpins cultural homogeneity would really tackle the problem, a group of elite thinkers in the community have of late been advocating.
That thought and idea is now getting translated into practice, thanks to initiative taken by a group of Indian American professionals and activists led by Dr Anuja Gupta of Chicagoland. Verandah, an affordable retirement community facility especially designed for Indians and other South-east Asian seniors in Chicagoland and surrounding areas, is the outcome.
This facility is a 12-acre development based in Hanover Park, Illinois. The location is next to Schaumburg and about 25 miles from downtown Chicago. Hanover Park was selected, says Dr Ahuja, because it is centrally located and close to many other Indian services, places of worship and amenities.
Indian restaurants and grocery stores are 5-10 mins away. There are more than 10 temples within 15 minutes driving distance in the surrounding communities of Bartlett, Carol Stream, Bloomingdale, Itasca and Addison. There are two mosques within 10 minutes drive and the Gurdwaras of Palatine and Wheaton are about half an hour away.
The project has plans for 85 townhomes and a clubhouse. The townhomes are specially designed to suit the needs of 55 years plus age group. Each townhome has independent entry with 2BR/2BA and attached garage. All the rooms are on mail level with no stairs for second story or basement. Every townhome has a full kitchen, dining room, living room, master bedroom with attached bathroom and guest bedroom with separate full bathroom.
The kitchen, hallways and bathrooms are designed to be handicapped accessible. There is a covered front porch, front yard and patio and back yard in the back.
The heart of the community will be the Clubhouse that has a dining facility, lounge room, gym, library and computer room. There is a big outside Verandah overlooking the pond. There are beautiful landscaped areas with a huge pond with fountain next to the clubhouse. The entire community is walkable with sidewalks along all streets, clubhouse and pond. The clubhouse will serve Indian vegetarian food for lunch and dinner daily.
Verandah is designed to draw the people out of their homes and be together with other people. Seniors will not be lonely in this community, they can meet others of similar background, age and interests.
The Clubhouse will be the daily meeting place for meals and activities. Volunteers groups formed within the community will offer group activities, watching Bollywood movies and celebration of our great Indian festivals. Anyone more than 55 years of age can live at Verandah, whether they are retired or actively working. Verandah is also suitable for single seniors.
The developers are a private group of investors. Dr Anuja Gupta is development partner and the spokesperson for the group. “It was my dream to make a meaningful contribution for our seniors. Many of them have given up a lot to leave their homes and come to this country.
They have worked very hard and sacrificed their social and personal lives to provide a better future for their children and grand-children. In their golden years they deserve to have suitable retirement options to feel comfortable, secure and enjoy themselves. We designed Verandah community with that spirit in mind.”
Construction is anticipated to start in April 2016 and first set of townhomes will be ready by October-November 2016. Booking opens in January 2016.Please visit the website
www.IndianRetirementChicago.com for detailed information and updates. Call 312 952 1802 or email IndianRetirementChicago@gmail.com for more information.
SURENDRA ULLAL
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