May
5
2010
Many individuals hesitate to consider Independent Living accommodations in a retirement setting. “$200,000 entrance fee”, you ask, “who can afford that?” While most Independent Living communities have a buy in option that ranges from a $10,000 - $500,000 or more entrance fee entrance fee plus a monthly maintenance fee, some communities are now providing the options of a monthly rental fee. The advantages of an entrance fee include available refund options; however, an entrance fee may not be appealing to everyone. In most cases, the community will have financial qualifications you must meet prior to being accepted for admission. Rental plans, on the other hand, do not offer refund options. If an entrance fee is not appealing to you and you are unable to make a lump sum payment up front for your new housing accommodation or unable to meet the high financial qualifications required for an entrance fee at the community, a rental fee may be just the thing for you! Contact us at (717) 517-8871 for more information.
April
11
2010
Part 4 of 5: Feel
You may have asked all of the right questions and are ready to make the final decision about which retirement community is the right one for you. But first, you want to see if you can really call this community home. Walk around and see how you feel…
- Sit on the bed and living room furniture. Are you comfortable?
- Could you call this community ‘home’?
- Do you feel safe?
- Do you have similar interests to that of the other residents?
- Are you comfortable talking to the staff?
With there being over 60 retirement housing options in Lancaster County alone, make sure that you are taking a look at more than one community, asking all of the right questions, and seeing which community you feel most comfortable with.
If there are questions that you feel are important to ask the retirement community, please share a comment for others to read.
March
31
2010
5 Straight Facts on Health Care Reform
Many of you are asking how the Health Care Reform is going to affect you, your families, our community, and nation as a whole. The National Council on Aging, a nonpartisan, nonprofit service and advocacy organization, recently provided a document with some Straight Facts for Seniors that you can read here.
5 Facts Include:
- The law will provide health coverage for millions of uninsured Americans – plus extra protections for most people who currently have insurance.
- The law will not cut any benefits provided under traditional Medicare – and it will even improve some benefits.
- The law will help you find and afford long-term care at home.
- The law will improve care for older Americans in other ways.
- The law will reduce Medicare spending growth – and it’s fully paid for.
Click here to read more. Feedback is welcome.
March
12
2010
Taste
Now that you may have had the opportunity to take a look at the community and listen as to what is going on at the community, now it is time to sit down, have a meal, and ask a few more questions…
- Take a tour of the community of your choice over the lunch hour and see if you like the food, atmosphere of the dining room, and food selection.
- Are there options to choose from at each meal?
- Does the community accommodate special diets (diabetic, low salt, low potassium, etc.)?
- Who monitors individuals’ diets?
After an individual moves in to a community, many may or may not complain about the food and dining selections. Be proactive, sit down, relax, have a meal and see for yourself if you are comfortable with the community’s dining experience.
March
3
2010
Saving Money for Retirement
Do you have enough money saved for retirement? Start planning ahead now by setting aside money for retirement and considering Long Term Care Insurance so that all of your assets are not depleted on Long Term Care, but on things you enjoy!
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the average costs in the U.S. (in 2009) are:
- $198/day for a semi-private room in skilled nursing
- $3,131/month for care in a Personal Care Home (for a one-bedroom unit)
- $19/hour for Homemaker services
- $21/hour for a Home Health Aid
- $67/day for care in an Adult Day Health Care Center
Do you have enough saved to support these expenses at retirement? Click here to see what you need to save for retirement.