When you started looking for your first home, you probably had a handful of questions for your realtor or the person selling the home. The same holds true when you’re deciding on a retirement community. You want to find a place that is secure, where you don’t have to move around from place to place if your medical needs change, and fits you as an individual.A life plan community offers independent living with the availability of assisted living, skilled nursing and rehab, and memory care all on one campus. They’re popular with young boomers because of their vibrant and active atmosphere. As you’re touring potential communities, be sure to ask these questions.
How will you help me keep my independence?
A common misconception of life plan communities is that they are like retirement communities of old: bland, hospital-like rooms that offer little or no control of your independence. This couldn’t be farther from the case.Most life plan communities offer a resident-directed and activity-filled lifestyle that proactively enables your independence. A follow up question you may want to ask to determine how well the community will support your independence is: “do you have a resident’s council and is there a schedule of activities that I may partake in?” That will help you get a better idea of the lifestyle. It is also a good idea to ask if you can try out the dining area and meet some of the residents who live there to get a better feel for the community.
Who lives here?
You may be curious about the residents who currently live in the community you are considering. Some questions you can ask to find out more about who makes up the community include:
- what is the current average age of the people who live here?
- how many men and women currently live here?
- does the community welcome diversity?
These questions can be answered by staff, but it’s a good idea to also ask the residents living there. Also, while you’re touring, check out bulletin boards and newsletters to get an idea of what the residents are currently interested in.
What is included in the monthly fee?
All life plan communities have a monthly fee. You will want to learn what is included in that fee, which covers the services and amenities that the community offers such as:
- Utilities
- Security
- Housekeeping and linen service
- Meal plans
- Transportation
- Fitness center
- Home maintenance
You will want to ask staff for specifics on what their monthly fees cover as some communities fees may cover more than what is listed above. You may also want to ask what, if any, services or amenities are offered but cost extra.
Is the community a for-profit or not-for-profit?
As you do your research on life plan communities, you might notice that some are for-profit and others are not-for-profit. Most life plan communities are non-profit but for-profit communities are beginning to grow. What’s the difference? The profits of a not-for-profit community stay within the organization whereas for-profit life plan communities are held accountable by corporate investors and shareholders who are interested in making money on their investment.Both types of communities have their merits, so it’s a personal choice when it comes to deciding what type of community is right for you. Either way, it is good to familiarize yourself with the financial structure of the community.
Is the community an accredited life plan community?
Finding out of the life plan community is accredited is very important. If the community is accredited by CARF/CCAC, an international organization that accredits full service continuing care retirement communities, that means they have committed to going through an extensive review for continuous improvement to provide the best quality service to their residents. CARF accreditation surveyors measure business practices and healthcare policies. They also interview staff, residents and their families during the accreditation process. If the community you are interested in is not accredited, ask them “why not?”
Kendal on Hudson, a Life Plan Community
Kendal on Hudson is a not-for-profit, life plan community and is accredited by CARF. Kendal provides a resident-driven lifestyle which promotes continued learning, wellness, and creating an engaged, active and vibrant community. Learn more about Kendal on Hudson living options and comprehensive on-site health care. You can check our website to find out more about our events on a wide variety of topics, such as senior living options, financial planning and more. Contact us online or by calling 866-358-5802.
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