A nationwide shortage of affordable senior housing exists that presents a challenge to meet the needs of older adults with very low incomes.According to the National Council on Aging, more than 25 million Americans aged 60-plus are living at or below 250% of the federal poverty level (FPL) of $29,425 per year per single person. A 2016 Bipartisan Policy Center report noted, The current supply of housing that is affordable to the nations lowest-income seniors is woefully inadequate. As more low-income Americans enter the senior ranks, this supply shortage currently measured in millions of units will become even more acute.Since 1991, AHEPA Affordable Housing Management Company (AMC) has been a committed provider of safe, dignified affordable independent senior living and affordable assisted living communities for our nations vulnerable elderly and disabled population. A mission-driven organization, AMC has developed and manages 91 affordable independent senior living communities in 20 states that are administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments 202 program. In Mobile, and in the surrounding area, 13 AHEPA Senior Apartments communities offer very low-income seniors over the age of 62 residential apartment-home living with voluntary supportive services they may need to continue to live independently as they age. The services may include meal services, case management, transportation assistance, public benefits programs enrollment assistance, and fitness and wellness programs, among others. All these services can be viewed as health care intervention at a reduced cost as compared long-term care services.  Preventing nursing home care, emergency room visits, or hospitalizations can lead to savings to Medicare and Medicaid programs. Furthermore, our residents health and safety throughout the pandemic has been our priority. Our participation in the CDCs Pharmacy Partnership for Long-term Care Program ensured our residents would have priority access to the Covid-19 vaccine.The announcement in January by HUD that it will make $150 million available to support the development of new affordable multifamily rental housing through grants administered by the HUD 202 program is an important step toward addressing the affordable housing shortage and well-being for very low-income seniors. However, it is only a step and many more need to be taken. With this opportunity to grow our mission, AMC pledges to be there for our nations vulnerable seniors as we have been for Mobiles for over three decades.This article was submitted by AHEPA Affordable Housing management Company President and CEO Steve Beck. For more information, please visit www.ahepamgmt.com. 

When Saad set out to build The Retreat, maintaining the connection to nature was imperative. The property sits on 7 acres of undisturbed woodland that contains a gentle slope to the east, providing a quality typically found in the Appalachian highlands. Walking through the property mature water oaks, red oaks, and pines sit densely among the terrain. Owls hoot, birds chirp, and the transcendental elements of an untouched landscape clear the mind and provide peace for the soul. The property is beautiful, so keeping the aspects of the land or incorporating them into design was paramount. Trees were marked for keeping, plans were changed to include some of the most mature trees, but many still needed to be removed for the building to begin. Saad made contact with tree removal companies, but rather than haul the timber away, it felt only right to use it in the facility. Several companies and contractors insisted the trees were pulpwood at best. Pulpwood is timber with the principle use of making paper products. There was something melancholy about turning these trees into paper products, principally as a hospice company. Our stories live on with our loved ones and we felt these trees should be a part of The Retreats story.A sawyer was found who believed he could turn this timber into beautiful wood. Robert fit every aspect of the wonderfully simple definition of a sawyer: One who saws. Fueled by coffee and donuts, Robert diligently sawed trees down to usable lumber. Giant trees were cut for columns and beams in the lobby, smaller timber transformed into shiplap and trim for the hallways and patient rooms. The milling process took months to complete. The lumber after being cut was then transported to a drying facility before it could be sanded and stained for use. A defining feature of The Retreat is the wood elements incorporated throughout the property and it was made possible by Robert believing this lumber had more to give.Editors Note:  This article was submitted by The Retreat at Saad Hospice.

It began as an idea in 2003 and now stands as a beacon of pride for the foundation that started it all. Initially named the Mobile Regional Senior Community Center Foundation, Inc. when the Articles of Incorporation were filed in 2008, the foundation was organized as a 501 (C) (3) to gain funding and bring power to the idea that Mobile needed to support seniors in our area with a center and programs designed for senior adults age 55 and up.In 2008, the 20,000 square foot center opened and offers a thermal plunge pool, a fitness room, billiards room, computer classes, and exercise, dance and art classes. A variety of programs are offered to meet the needs of both retired and working senior participants. There is an active roster of 5,000 members for whom the center offers not only activities but has become a place to meet and make friends, and for many, a home away from home. In 2013, the name of the center was changed by the Mobile City Council to the Connie Hudson Mobile Regional Senior Community Center to honor now County Commissioner Connie Hudson, who spearheaded the effort to fund and build the center.The foundation works as a partner to support and continue to enhance the center by providing resources for furnishings, appliances, computers, art equipment, pool tables and fitness equipment. Managed by a Board of Directors with assistance from an Advisory Board, the foundations hosts fundraisers and accept donations from supporters and friends. Because needs are always constant and changing, contributions are always welcome.Connie Hudson Mobile Regional Senior Community Center Offers:FitnessGames - Bingo, Dominoes, Billiards, ChessBilliardsComputer LabAquatic Exercise1031 West Cafe Services Lunch M-F 10:30 am to 3 pm - Open to the publicThe Connie Hudson Senior Center can be contacted at 251-208-6701.

Now that spring has sprung and COVID restrictions are not dominating our daily lives, we need to get back to the basics.  Time to change your linens, clean those baseboards and review your documents!At a minimum, everyone needs a Durable Power of Attorney for financial matters and one for health care issues.  It is surprising to me how few people execute this very basic estate document.  If you dont have one, and you have a massive stroke, your family will likely have to go to court in order to handle your most basic personal financial matters.  This cost thousands of dollars and is a very difficult process on your loved ones.Next, everyone should execute an Advanced Directive for Health Care, which is also known as a living will.  This document allows you to choose ahead of time whether you would want to have your life artificially extended by the administration of medicine or machines, and whether you wish to have food or water given to you through a tube or IV.  If you do not have this document and catastrophe strikes, the hospital must take the maximum steps to keep you alive, and often the client is then sent to a nursing home where they can live a very long time under these circumstances.  Many do not want this to happen.  If this is the case, execute this document.  For Alabama, this document can be located for free on the Alabama Hospital Associations website.  Most hospitals, hospice companies and doctors offices can also provide the form.This document is often associated with a DNR or Do Not Resuscitate form.  That form is initiated by your physician most often, and is available for you if you reach the stage of your life that you really have no quality of life.  This is not a required document, even though a lot of facilities would prefer it and may infer that it is required.  You are the master of your destiny and you get to choose how your life ends.The next, most common document is the Last Will and Testament.  Everyone should have one, even if you put your children as beneficiary on your accounts and policies.  There may be a reason to open an estate and it will be more expensive and time consuming if you do not execute a will.  You should appoint a Personal Representative and should dictate who gets what property.  If you just want to say, I want my children to have my stuff, then the document will divide your residuary estate.  A common problem I see is where someone has a child they have raised but never formally adopted, or a partner they didnt marry, and those will be left out of any estate if you do not write a will.The last document you may want to consider is a Trust.  We are living in more complicated times, and it is important to have a will, however, that will needs to be probated in court to take effect following your death.  One way to exercise more control over your situation after your death is to set up a trust, that will manage the property over time.  If you have a set of documents that have been completed, make an appointment to determine if any changes should be made.  Laws and circumstances change all the time, so it is important to keep up with those changes.Talk to your estate professional as soon as possible and get your spring cleaning under way!  If you are concerned about getting out in person, call and set up a virtual appointment. Editor's Note:  This article was submitted by Kyla G. Kelim, Esq., Aging in Alabama