Housing project for senior Baptists

Housing project for senior Baptists
Planned near Elm Ridge Church in Como

This is project offering free housing for senior citizens affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention is planned in Hopkins County under an agreement involving Elm Ridge Church Pastor Randy Boyte and a joint venture between

Elder LifeCare Foundation and Coleman & Co. in what is to be called ElderCare Neighborhoods. According to Randy Boyte, their hope is to give seniors dignity, security and a lifestyle of independence. One of the prerequisites for qualifying seniors is they must have an affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention.

“This is for people who have given their life to the Lord – retired pastors, music directors, laymen or regular church members,” Boyte said.

Boyte said his own father was a Southern Baptist pastor who, after retirement, had nothing except what was provided by the government.

“According to Bible roots, we are to take care of our seniors,” Boyte explained. “The welfare system was left up to the church in Bible days. Of course that’s not the way it is today. We have our welfare system and Social Security, and we’re blessed because of that. But from the Bible standpoint, we are to take care of our own.”

Boyte said he was contacted by Steve Patterson, director of Elder Life-Care Foundation, whom Boyte has known for the past 20 years, asking if he would be interested in joining the project.
“The church is way on board with it,” Boyte said.

The Elder Life-Care Foundation (ELF), based in Reno, Nev., was established in 2002. It is a private, non-profit foundation dedicated to “improving the quality of life for elder citizens with its primary goal being aimed at the development, design and construction of new homes, maximizing housing options for the elderly.”

“This will eliminate ever having to go to a nursing home,” Boyte said. “It will allow our senior citizens to live and die with dignity, maybe in a better home than they’ve ever had in their lives.”
Plans call for the project to start with 30 houses, approximately 2,000 square feet in size, including a two-car garage. Thirty more units will be added in Phase II followed by 30 more, ultimately ending with 90 homes on 38 acres behind Elm Ridge Church, located on State Highway 11 near Como.

According to Boyte, each home will be environmentally friendly. as well.
“They are going to be green homes, as green as we can make them, with solar panels,” he explained. “They’ll be very senior friendly, too, with wide door openings to accommodate wheelchairs and hospital beds.”

The initial residents will have their pick of floor plans and color schemes, according to Boyte.
Elder LifeCare provides the lifetime housing as an “insurable interest benefit,” according to the proposal. Essentially, the seniors grant the foundation the right to purchase and own a life insurance policy on them.

“The grants are funded through life insurancem,” Boyte said. “Because the most sustainable asset is your life, we will issue a life policy on the couple and the Elder LifeCare Foundation becomes the owner/beneficiary of the policy.”

Elder LifeCare pays the expenses and premiums associated with the cost of the life insurance, according to Boyte.

Boyte also said residents do not have to sign over their assets, bank accounts, real estate property, etc.

“You are always in control of own assets, but if you wish to donate to the foundation because you want to, that’s your choice,” said Boyte. “And the foundation hopes the seniors live a long and productive life because the longer the senior live, the more the policies build cash value. The foundation makes the policies work to be able to provide benefits back to the seniors.”
The lifetime grant not only provides housing, but health care and other social and support services, according to Boyte, including a 3,500 square foot medical facility on the premises.
The foundation’s HealthCare Grant provides for a qualified on-site physician, selected by residents of the community, as well as at-home caregivers, convalescent support, counseling, physical therapy and other services.

“The added health benefits afforded these couples is a once-in-a-lifetime blessing and it is an awesome opportunity afforded our community and qualifying couples,” Boyte said.
Single home, two-person dwellings are for couples over the age of 70, or if a spouse is deceased, roommates of the same gender are accepted.

“Our hope is to give quality of life to seniors who have worked and labored for the Lord, whether as a faithful church member or a pastor,” Boyte emphasized. “This is just another option for senior housing, and a very good option at that.”

The Elder Care Foundation also has community commitments to fund projects in Australia, Canada and Europe.

Application for grants at the ElderCare Neighborhood in Como are now being accepted through Elm Ridge Church. For more information, call 903-488-3706.

Apply Online at www.ElderLifeCare.net

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