Aging Well project moves forward -- jc post

​Effort is under way on the Aging Well project, which will be located at the northwest corner of U.S. 77 and K-18 Highways in Geary County. This week Geary County and Junction City commissioners will receive updates on this effort.

Aging Well Co-Chair LaDonna Junghans said this is a quality of life project for senior living in Geary County. "It's a group of people that organized themselves about 10 years ago and formed a nonprofit organization. " She explained that they want to give the community more options for senior living. 

There will be three homes where bedrooms are on the exterior and the interior a huge living room, dining room and kitchen for family-style living. There would also be an assisted living facility that would house 14 elders. This would be phase one with more assisted living, long-term living and hopefully independent living in duplexes and apartments.

Jona Freel, Marketing and Development Consultant for Grace Team Services, are working with the Aging Well Board and in the future will transition into a management role once the campus begins. They are working on services and cares for seniors in 11 cities in Kansas. "Right now we are in the process of raising funds for the project. Our goal is $3.5 million and we are just over one million now." They are working toward an opportunity for tax credits.  If you would like to make a donation contact board members or members of an advocate group listed at the Aging Well web site, agingwellseniorliving.com. Donations can be sent to 819 North Washington in Junction City or to LaDonna Junghans at 785-238-3117.

Theresa Bramlage, R2 B4 Bramlage Family Foundation, said they know that there is a need for the project, especially with the aging population, and is something the Foundation decided to get involved with. "We get involved in projects that bring economic value to this community and that's why we've stepped and we've pledged dollars to the project.

Bramlage feels the facility will be community engaging with trails outside the perimeter of the homes. "It's just going to be an incredible 70-plus acre facility."

Junghans said that there will be a team of three or four individuals caring for the people in each home.
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There will be Aging Well presentations at the Geary County Commission meeting about 11:30 a.m. Monday and at the City Commission meeting Tuesday night.