WHY A LIFECARE COMMUNITY?

A continuing care retirement community (CCRC) offers senior housing and on-site amenities for seniors who want to remain in one place as they go through the aging process. At a CCRC, you could start in Independent Living and later get expanded care or move into Assisted Living as the need arises. A CCRC provides services to residents for the full continuum of care.

CCRCs have many advantages for seniors, including carefree, maintenance-free living. No raking, no shoveling, no home repairs: We take care of it. Residents at a CCRC are surrounded by like-minded people, so there are stimulating social opportunities. There are wellness and fitness programs, amenities, dining and access to a full range of health services.

Lifecare provides access to a continuum of care, with on-site Assisted Living and Memory Care at a predictable monthly rate for life—based on what you pay for Independent Living. While all Lifecare communities are CCRCs, all CCRCs are not Lifecare communities. With the rising costs of long-term healthcare, this plan offers peace of mind for the future because if you ever need care, you will always know what you will pay and who will provide it. You will also know that once accepted into the Lifecare program, if you have an inadvertent financial setback, we will work with you on an appropriate payment plan.

Another benefit of Lifecare is that if you and your loved one have differing care needs, your partner can receive the care they need, and you may stay in the independent living, assisted living, memory care or skilled nursing residence. You will pay one monthly fee.

You will never pay two different fees for care at Edgehill. With a Lifecare contract, you will receive the health care you need, and you and your partner will not have to move from the apartment home you have both come to love. Even if one partner is in assisted living, memory care or nursing care and the other is in the original apartment home, you only pay the monthly fee for your apartment home, plus the cost of two extra meals.

Residents must demonstrate adequate physical health to qualify for a Lifecare plan, so it is best to take advantage of Lifecare while you are still healthy and independent. Care coverage will begin as soon as you need it and will continue for the rest of your life.

All CCRCs offer residential housing and amenities, but the range and cost of on-site services vary widely. A Lifecare community, such as Edgehill, is a CCRC that offers access to full-service residences and a wide range of amenities and programs and access to long-term care, including assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation or skilled nursing should the need arise. Other plans may not offer the same comprehensive package, so understanding the differences in other options will help you make the right decision for you and your family.

There are three types of CCRC contracts: Type A (Edgehill), Type B, and Type C. Each has different financial implications and level of services, so it is essential to know the differences.

With a Type A contract, you pay an entrance fee which is partially refundable to you or your estate when you leave. Edgehill is a Type A Lifecare Community. At Edgehill, the refund is 90% of the principal portion of the entrance fee. There is also a monthly service fee. Care is available at predictable rates throughout the full continuum of care. In short, when you choose the Type A option at Edgehill, we will care for you for the rest of your life.

Type-B CCRCs provide senior housing, services and amenities. Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing care are typically offered in one of two ways: with a limited number of free days of care as part of the entrance fee with additional care billed at market rates per service, or an ongoing, minimally discounted rate for care services. Healthcare services may be available on or off site, and two monthly fees may be incurred if couples require different levels of care.

Type C is a fee-for-service community; housing, services and amenities are provided under the resident agreement. Access to long-term health care, as needed, is typically guaranteed but charged at fee-for-service market rates. If care is required on a short-term basis, to maintain the independent living residence, the resident would be required to pay the monthly fee on that residence, plus the costs of housing and health care received in the assisted living or skilled nursing residence.

Waiting until a health crisis strikes forces you to move, limits your choices in retirement living and will cause you to lose the benefits of living in a Lifecare community like Edgehill. Why not enjoy your retirement, knowing you have planned well and taken control of your future? With Lifecare, you can access a variety of healthy, active lifestyle choices and practically limitless opportunities for social, spiritual, and personal growth.

Substantial tax benefits may be available. As always, you should consult with your tax or financial advisor to guide you through the details of potential deductions. Several rulings by the United States Internal Revenue Service have established that a portion of your entrance fee and monthly fees may be deductible as a pre-paid medical expense. So, you could take advantage of the tax benefits even if you live independently, requiring little or no health care.

Your monthly fee provides you with a package of services including housekeeping, dining, transportation services, 24-hour response system, maintenance, repairs, snow removal, taxes and landscaping, all utilities except telephone, assigned parking, security and Lifecare. Use of our many amenities, including a beauty salon, indoor heated pool, library, billiard room, woodworking area and more. You will also have access to all programs and activities, including lectures, functions, outings, classes, and fitness classes.