Frequently Asked Questions About Our Community
Selecting a senior living community can be challenging. However, we are here to support you through this process. Below, you will find answers to many frequently asked questions. Of course, you can also contact us directly if you have any additional questions.
Pricing FAQs
Many older adults assume that aging in place, or remaining at their current private residence, is more affordable than moving to a senior living community. However, the opposite is typically the case. Senior living communities simplify finances by bundling all costs — rent, utilities, housekeeping, home and yard maintenance, dining and more — into one flat rate. In doing so, active living communities provide significantly more value than aging in place.
When comparing the cost of senior living to aging in place, you may find that staying in your current home is significantly more expensive than living in a community of your peers. Fortunately, there are many avenues to help you pay for a senior living community. Some examples include:
- Life Insurance: many policies allow you to pull money out of your plan to support the cost of senior living. You may also be able to convert your policy into a long-term care payment plan.
- Veteran Benefits Administration: if you are a veteran, you may qualify for financial aid in assisted living
- Sell Your Home: if you own a home, now may be the best time to sell and profit off of the equity. Selling your home gives you a lump sum you can use for the next chapter of your life.
- Rent Your Home: this is a great option for older adults who are looking to downsize. By renting out the space, you could make thousands of dollars of passive income each month.
Medicare will pay for partial costs of memory care. For example, Medicare Part D will pay for many prescription medications. Traditional Medicare coverage does not cover the cost of a memory care community, however. PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), which is a combination of Medicare and Medicaid, can help with some of the costs of memory care, and people with dementia or similar memory concerns may be eligible for this program. PACE is designed to give people access to memory and dementia care so they do not have to move into a skilled nursing community.
Unfortunately, Medicare does not help cover assisted living expenses. However, various programs exist to help with financial assistance. Research “assisted living financial assistance” online and speak to your doctor or community services department for direction. Looking at the costs can initially feel daunting, but help exists.
Care FAQs
Assisted living is a term that generally refers to a community where seniors (65+) are encouraged to continue living independent lives amongst friends while receiving assistance for daily activities on an as-needed basis. These daily activities include everything from bathing and dressing to daily chores and medication reminders. The best assisted living communities understand and pursue the proper balance between support and independence.
Memory care is a specialized type of long-term care designed to meet the specific needs of someone who has varying levels of memory loss, as well as the behaviors that are associated with it, typically caused by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Memory care communities provide assistance with activities of daily living like eating and toileting as well as programming that is designed to slow memory loss.
- Life Insurance: many policies allow you to pull money out of your plan to support the cost of senior living. You may also be able to convert your policy into a long-term care payment plan.
- Veteran Benefits Administration: if you are a veteran, you may qualify for financial aid in assisted living
- Sell Your Home: if you own a home, now may be the best time to sell and profit off of the equity. Selling your home gives you a lump sum you can use for the next chapter of your life.
- Rent Your Home: this is a great option for older adults who are looking to downsize. By renting out the space, you could make thousands of dollars of passive income each month.
With so many different types of senior living communities, it can be confusing to determine which is best for you. However, as a general rule, if you are healthy, active and need little assistance completing daily tasks, you should consider independent living. Comparatively, if you need help with activities of daily living like bathing, eating or toileting, an assisted living community is likely better suited to your needs. If you are experiencing cognitive decline related to dementia, memory care is best.
Please note that a physician can help you make this decision. A representative in our community can also help you determine which level of care is right for you.
Activities FAQs
Oftentimes, individuals fear that they will be bored if they move to a senior living community. In reality, residents experience just the opposite — they are surprised by how busy they are. Our staff are dedicated to keeping residents engaged by planning a calendar full of exciting events and programs. You may, for instance:
- Attend a history lecture delivered by a university professor
- Visit a local arboretum to learn about gardening
- Join a book club and discuss literary themes
- Participate in a group yoga class
Wellness is important at any age, but especially for older adults. Because of this, we provide residents with access to a fitness center, group exercise classes, walking trails and more. Our award-winning chefs also prepare meals that are both healthy and delicious. Plus, since wellness is about more than nourishing the body, our community offers a variety of events and activities to nourish your social, spiritual and intellectual self as well.
Driving can become challenging, if not dangerous, as we grow older. That is why we provide group transportation to nearby grocery stores, malls and local attractions. Individualized transportation to medical appointments can also be arranged with advanced notice.
Move-In FAQs
Our community offers a variety of residences. Each apartment home has been thoughtfully designed to maximize living spaces and natural light. We have also designed these spaces with the needs of older adults in mind. Grab bars in the bathroom, wide doorways and slip-resistant carpet all reduce the risk of falls and injury. Each residence is also outfitted with an emergency call system, should an accident occur.
We believe you deserve a maintenance-free lifestyle. That is why we do the heavy lifting for you, providing residents with a robust lineup of amenities and services including, but not limited to:
- Restaurant-style dining with chef-prepared entrées
- Emergency response system
- Housekeeping
- Linen services
- Yard and home maintenance
- Trash removal
- Entertainment, social events and educational programs
- Wellness programming
Leaving behind a house full of memories is difficult. That is why we try our best to make our community feel as warm and inviting as possible. We encourage residents to decorate their apartment home to suit their personal style, to invite friends and family to visit, and to participate in activities that spark their interest. If you are interested in literature, join a book club. If you love music, attend an opera performance. If you enjoy nature, walk or jog along our outdoor trails. Whatever your passion, you will find a way to pursue it here.
