By the year 2000, 35 million Americans will be over the age of 65.  By 2010, 40 million will call themselves 'seniors." And, according to the census bureau, those over 85 are the fastest growing segment of our population. Where will all these seniors live?

If the work Grooters Leapaldt Tideman Architects has been doing is any indication, many of our oldest community members will live in comfortable, flexible apartments where a wide variety of services-from housekeeping to home health services-will be available within the community.

"Aging-in-place is an important guiding philosophy," says Principal David Leapaldt who has helped to design and remodel dozens of seniors communities.  'Making the move from a home to a senior community is fairly traumatic.  If residents can avoid having to move again -while still receiving essential services-their quality of life is improved dramatically."

One community which is successfully serving seniors as they age-in-place is Country Manor in Sartell, MN.  "Our goal is to provide customized services for seniors," says Brian Kelm, chief executive director of the community.  "We have followed our vision and continually expanded our continuum of care."

What began as a nursing home in the 1970s has grown into an inventive, multi-level comprehensive community. Today, it includes a 187-bed nursing home, 200 one-and-two bedroom apartments, a recently added 45-uni assisted living community (called "Country Villa"), and a home health service serving 195 clients, both on an off campus.  But wait-we're just getting started.  There's a Country Store and Pharmacy, where residents can get their film processed and clothes cleaned, and a 149-child day care center. And don't forget the 'Country Caravan," a non-emergency transportation system.

Another organization planning progressively is the board of Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, South Dakota.  On an unspoiled 30-acre site overlooking the Missouri River Valley, the board and the Benedictine Sisters who sponsor the hospital are calculating an estimated $15 million continuing care campus.  When complete, the campus will include a 113-bed skilled nursing facility, independent apartments, assisted living, dementia care, adult day services and a chapel as the community's centerpiece.

"Just the fact that they are building an entirely new senior housing and health care campus from scratch is unique," says Principal Daniel Tideman, who is overseeing the project.  'Even more unique is the organization's remarkable dedication to serving the needs of older adults in the community."

Tideman describes the campus as a "dream project.  They are doing everything right-right from the start."