Usage of future Winchester House in debate

A multi-denominational citizens group is recommending Lake County make the new Winchester House skilled care facility a campus that feels like a community, not an institution.

Lake County United, which is made up of churches, synagogues, mosques and nonprofits, told Lake County Board members during a presentation Sunday it studied the needs of seniors with the future Winchester House in mind.

The recommended facility would include supportive living, affordable independent senior housing and a center for activities, day care, transportation options and support services.

"We wanted to present the concept that there could be a campus (instead of the one current facility) at the Winchester House site," said Tom Lenz, lead organizer for Lake County United.

Lake County Board member Steve Carlson, who attended the presentation, said the complex the group is recommending would require cooperation from many entities that could include a private developer.

"A skilled nursing facility will pay for itself, an assisted living facility probably won't," Carlson said.

The county board voted in September 2007 to build the new Winchester House on the county-owned nursing home site in Libertyville. The current Winchester House, established in 1847, is a skilled nursing facility for people who need day-to-day care from nurses and health care services.

What Lake County United is suggesting is closer to apartment-style living with less emphasis on medical care.

Carlson said the recommendations are hopeful, but may not be realistic. Because of the drop in the consumer price index from 4.1 percent to 0.1 percent, he said, the county will see less revenue and will not be able to do everything desirable.

Carlson added construction on the new facility is still two to three years away.

However, Lake County United may have found a private group willing to take on building costs the county may not be able to afford.

Teresa Denny, regional director for Catholic Charities, said they are interested in partnering with the county to build affordable independent living for seniors.

"The goal is to have people be in the appropriate environment," she said.

Denny said it is important that people who could be in assisted living are in that environment instead of skilled care. She added that Catholic Charities has 18 senior housing facilities in Cook County.