So, I guess I'm officially an old person now.

[dannylion]

This week, I put down a deposit for an apartment in a continuing care retirement community.  It's a nice community with a good reputation and lots of amenities.  And I like the apartment model I chose, and the building it's in has nice views in all directions, so I don't really care where the one I end up getting is located in the building.  I'm looking forward to a life all on one level, but it will probably be 2 years or so before I move since I want a specific model in a specific building.  

It's exciting to have something nice to look forward to, but it's sobering at the same time.  It will be the last home I have.  

On the bright side, this solves my decluttering dilemma.  I will need to get rid of lots of stuff I've been hanging on to and just moving around for years, and I find I'm actually okay with that.  It's time for all that stuff to find a new home because it won't fit in the new place, and I won't need it anyway.  My very kind neighbor has been extremely helpful in my decluttering journey, and the retirement community has moving and downsizing consultants on staff who will help as well as the time to move gets closer.  

My tour of the grounds of the community revealed at least 2 dog parks, so there will clearly be many opportunities for dog interactions.  If I can continue making progress with physical therapy, I might even consider getting a dog of my own.  

[resolution]

Back in the 2000s my grandmother moved into an assisted living apartment community. They had a restaurant/cafeteria and her rent included 2 meals per day, laundry services, maid service once a week, activity director, and transportation to shopping and medical appointments. She made a lot of friends and really loved the place. At the time it was my fantasy to move into someplace like that and escape from all of my chores. 

[thyme4change]

We should all live in a more communal way. I, too, have said that I am looking forward to living in a place like you just described.

Enjoy

[toomuchreality]

Sounds wonderful, really.
How nice to be able to make this choice for yourself, rather than someone else making it for you, at a place you don't like.
Good for you!

[MN-Investor]

My 69-year old Seattle sister was recently widowed. While visiting her this spring, I accompanied her to a visit with an elder lawyer. He specializes in helping people figure out and plan for the worst day of their life. In other words, how do you prepare when, all of a sudden, you break a hip, or have a heart attack, or become too disabled to take care of yourself. One of the questions he asks clients to consider is where would they want to, at some point in their life, end up. There are assisted living buildings, retirement communities, etc. Or would you want to stay in your home?

For me, I'd have no problem going to a nice assisted living facility. As long as I have my books and computer, I'd probably be happy anywhere.

But, for my sister, she would be devastated if she had to leave her home. She's a retired carpenter and nothing gives her greater joy than tinkering around her house. With that in mind, she's now making modifications in her house so that if she were confined to a wheelchair for a period of time, she could still access all rooms and use the bathroom.

I so wish that my sister lived in the Midwest where relatives could help her if necessary, but she moved to Seattle decades ago and would never leave.

Anyway, congratulations to all of you who plan ahead.

[Opti]

Jul 20, 2024 23:37:30 GMT -5 MN-Investor said:

My 69-year old Seattle sister was recently widowed. While visiting her this spring, I accompanied her to a visit with an elder lawyer. He specializes in helping people figure out and plan for the worst day of their life. In other words, how do you prepare when, all of a sudden, you break a hip, or have a heart attack, or become too disabled to take care of yourself. One of the questions he asks clients to consider is where would they want to, at some point in their life, end up. There are assisted living buildings, retirement communities, etc. Or would you want to stay in your home?

For me, I'd have no problem going to a nice assisted living facility. As long as I have my books and computer, I'd probably be happy anywhere.

But, for my sister, she would be devastated if she had to leave her home. She's a retired carpenter and nothing gives her greater joy than tinkering around her house. With that in mind, she's now making modifications in her house so that if she were confined to a wheelchair for a period of time, she could still access all rooms and use the bathroom.

I so wish that my sister lived in the Midwest where relatives could help her if necessary, but she moved to Seattle decades ago and would never leave.

Anyway, congratulations to all of you who plan ahead.

There's what I'd prefer and what I could live with. When discussing what to do about my dad and his planned exit from this life I was speaking to my childhood BFF. Feeling pretty distraught and alone, I said if it comes down to it, when our bodies fall apart maybe you and I should live in the same AL facility. 

Having worked at a hybrid AL and skilled nursing facility for more than a decade, I have though off and on how I would survive and hopefully do OK if I found myself in a similar situation. I have a brochure to a very nice place locally which starts with villas and can go all the way to AL/dementia care or significant skilled nursing care.

[Opti]

Jul 20, 2024 19:25:05 GMT -5 dannylion said:

This week, I put down a deposit for an apartment in a continuing care retirement community.  It's a nice community with a good reputation and lots of amenities.  And I like the apartment model I chose, and the building it's in has nice views in all directions, so I don't really care where the one I end up getting is located in the building.  I'm looking forward to a life all on one level, but it will probably be 2 years or so before I move since I want a specific model in a specific building.  

It's exciting to have something nice to look forward to, but it's sobering at the same time.  It will be the last home I have.  

On the bright side, this solves my decluttering dilemma.  I will need to get rid of lots of stuff I've been hanging on to and just moving around for years, and I find I'm actually okay with that.  It's time for all that stuff to find a new home because it won't fit in the new place, and I won't need it anyway.  My very kind neighbor has been extremely helpful in my decluttering journey, and the retirement community has moving and downsizing consultants on staff who will help as well as the time to move gets closer.  

My tour of the grounds of the community revealed at least 2 dog parks, so there will clearly be many opportunities for dog interactions.  If I can continue making progress with physical therapy, I might even consider getting a dog of my own.  

You are officially on the latter part of your journey. Some people get there sooner because of medical conditions so be happy you are making these choices for yourself. Sounds nice. I would be happy to be dog adjacent too. 

I would like to move somewhere that can be more like one floor living if needed. A non-first floor apartment is not it. Especially since this property is not at all level; I am in a world of hurt given I have overused my knees, legs etc. past where they should have been pushed. But I think it's both wise and cool you know what you want and are waiting for it.

I thought of you the other day, when I did the Opti thing of designing a car I could not afford in RL. Forget what it was, but one model came in this darker purple, and I thought of you. 

[daisylu]

Jul 20, 2024 19:46:45 GMT -5 resolution said:

Back in the 2000s my grandmother moved into an assisted living apartment community. They had a restaurant/cafeteria and her rent included 2 meals per day, laundry services, maid service once a week, activity director, and transportation to shopping and medical appointments. She made a lot of friends and really loved the place. At the time it was my fantasy to move into someplace like that and escape from all of my chores. 

That sounds lovely. I'd live there now,  as an almost 50YO!

[Opti]

It is good to see you BTW Dannylion. Try not to think of it as last home either. Things do happen even at facilities like Covid and mergers and acquisitions. Who knows, maybe three years in someone will build a even more fabulous place and you'll choose to go there.

I'm trying not think of things in a way that will make me sad. Saying last home or last car would. So this is your next home that will make living easier physically than where you are now. Concentrate on the good and ignore or transform the sad and tough stuff. 


So let's chat about happier things. What kind of dog do you think you may want? I'm thinking I need two so they can entertain each other. Your dog will need probably to be easygoing and social enough it can deal with your future living situation. And probably small because facilities freak when a larger dog is loose there.

[movingforward]

I looked at several of these places just last week with my dad. We decided on one and he is excited to move there. It is a fully independent facility but they have housekeeping once a week, a dining hall, exercise room, lots of activities. He is only 77 and doesn't really need assisted living and may not for several years. There are some things that are getting harder for him though like maintenance, cleaning, etc. The 2nd choice facility did have both independent and assisted so if he ever does need to go into assisted living then he will move into that one.

I definitely feel like I would want to live in one of these type places when I get older. They aren't cheap but considering how much they include it isn't bad either.

[Sharon]

Jul 21, 2024 7:24:12 GMT -5 movingforward said:

I definitely feel like I would want to live in one of these type places when I get older. They aren't cheap but considering how much they include it isn't bad either.

This has been over 10 years ago but when DD was in college Mom and I were comparing the costs that DD paid for her dorm room vs what my Grandpa was paying for his senior living apartment.  He wasn't in assisted living yet but had his own apartment, it included 20 meals a week, on Sunday they just did brunch and dinner and once a week cleaning.  He was paying less for his one bedroom apartment, that he didn't have to share and had it's own bathroom, then DD was paying for dorm room that she had to share and the bathroom was down the hall and around the corner.

[jerseygirl]

When I traveled with my DS, mom went temporarily to assisted living places. All were fine but she didn’t want to live in any. Biggest issue she had was the people who lived there. She ate with them and she was disappointed that many couldn’t have a conversation. Not quite devastated by dementia but not up to conversation. She was in a private room and went to DR for meals. Too confining. She was very social so disappointed with the residents. In one place there was a 102 yr woman who was sharp and looked maybe 80. But a rarity
She stayed in her condo with my DS till the end. I live in next town . She was in a wheelchair

[Opti]

Jul 21, 2024 8:32:30 GMT -5 jerseygirl said:

When I traveled with my DS, mom went temporarily to assisted living places. All were fine but she didn’t want to live in any. Biggest issue she had was the people who lived there. She ate with them and she was disappointed that many couldn’t have a conversation. Not quite devastated by dementia but not up to conversation. She was in a private room and went to DR for meals. Too confining. She was very social so disappointed with the residents. In one place there was a 102 yr woman who was sharp and looked maybe 80. But a rarity
She stayed in her condo with my DS till the end. I live in next town . She was in a wheelchair

I see your mom has passed, so I guess this is advice to whomever is reading if they plan to do this with a loved one. AL is actually both a standard of care and also a level encompassing medical needs and the ability for a resident to take care of themselves at home. Dementia floors are often locked floors or parts of floors part of the AL. 

AL is rarely independent living convenient to other options on site so that should be noted as well. If the person is gong to be cared for while family members are away, try to find the level with a room closest to where they are mentally and physically. If mom was still mostly mobile and of sound mind, it would be best to be placed on the short term rehab side if it exists. Otherwise the lowest sanest floor in AL would be my next choice.

[teen persuasion]

Yesterday we were at a nephew's grad party. One of my mom's sisters was also there, and we were chatting. Aunt P will be 94 in a few days, she's still sharp and very social, fit. Her vision is the weak point, macular degeneration means everything is fuzzy, so she can no longer walk laps independently around her senior living facility. But she was raving about the food they serve, steak and seafood and...

She still has her family home, shares it with several college age granddaughters when she opts to stay there, and goes visiting various family members all over the country. One of her seven kids or a gkid will fly with her where she wants. Or she takes "the girls" as a group to Italy... She's a hoot.

[dannylion]

This is the community I chose:  Charlestown  

It is an established community in this area and well regarded.  The apartment model I chose isn't shown on the website.  They have over 100 configurations of apartments, so they only show a few representative models on the website and in the brochure.  The model I requested has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a sunroom with all the windows and the sunroom being at one end of the apartment, which means all the rooms have plenty of uninterrupted wall space for placing furniture. 

I wanted to be in the building that is closest to the small number of covered parking spaces, which I will have to get onto another waiting list for (and will have a separate fee, of course, if I get one) because I bought a new car last year and would like to keep it in a covered space if possible.  Fortunately, one of the models in that building had an extra-large sunroom that will accommodate my Craftsman-style table (custom made by Amish persons in Minnesota), which I love, but which I was afraid I would have to give up because there wouldn't be room for it in most of the models.  So, I was excited to find one where it would fit.  Funny story about the table, I ordered it from the craftspersons, who, of course, don't drive trucks, and horse-drawn delivery options between Minnesota and Maryland are limited and wildly impractical.  So, they contract with some of their neighbors in Minnesota who have a big trailer to do their deliveries, which they apparently do all over the country.  When they delivered my table, it required some assembly and the various parts were quite heavy, and in the process of getting it set up, I was treated to the sound of "Oof da!" several times.  It made me smile.  The only element of making this move and choosing a community and apartment that caused me any real regret was the fact that nothing I looked at in any of the communities had room for my table (except the eye-wateringly expensive communities that are probably inhabited by people much too fine for the likes of me), so it was likely I would have to give up my favorite table because it is rather big.  The things that turn out to be important are weird.  

The community also has assisted living and skilled nursing facilities.  They also have all types of in-home care assistance (at additional cost) to help people stay in their independent living homes as long as possible before having to go to assisted living or skilled nursing.  Some former colleagues live in this community and another lives in an Erickson community closer to D.C., and they are all very happy with their choice, so I expect to be happy there, too.  They have about 100 clubs and activities, so I should be able to find something to do that is fun.  In any event, I have a couple of years (more or less, depending on when my preferred apartment might become available) to get used to the idea and get ready to move, so at least I won't be scrambling around to find something on short notice.  I'm happy places like this exist for people like me with no immediate family and no nearby relatives.  Also, there will be other people's dogs to play with.   

[TheOtherMe]

A place like that is not an option for me.  I could buy in but could not pay the monthly fee.  It's more than I have as income in a month.  

I will kick and fight to stay right here until I take my last breath.  

[NancysSummerSip]

dannylion I like that you did this for yourself. I am not ready to do it yet. But because I have no kids (and don't want my brothers to deal with me), I will likely have to do it at some point. I hope to have my independence as long as I can, and a home with a garden. I am definitely planning to move to a smaller home after DH passes, and getting rid of a lot of stuff. I am OK with that, and also OK to be near nice neighbors (but dear Gawd, no HOA!!!!!!), and neighbors with kids/animals are OK too.

Your place looks very nice, updated and modern, and by our standards, actually affordable when you compare it to the considerable list of what you are getting. You are pretty close to where my family lives; I know the area is quite nice.

[resolution]

Jul 21, 2024 14:30:46 GMT -5 dannylion said:

This is the community I chose:  Charlestown  

It is an established community in this area and well regarded.  The apartment model I chose isn't shown on the website.  They have over 100 configurations of apartments, so they only show a few representative models on the website and in the brochure.  The model I requested has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a sunroom with all the windows and the sunroom being at one end of the apartment, which means all the rooms have plenty of uninterrupted wall space for placing furniture. 

I wanted to be in the building that is closest to the small number of covered parking spaces, which I will have to get onto another waiting list for (and will have a separate fee, of course, if I get one) because I bought a new car last year and would like to keep it in a covered space if possible.  Fortunately, one of the models in that building had an extra-large sunroom that will accommodate my Craftsman-style table (custom made by Amish persons in Minnesota), which I love, but which I was afraid I would have to give up because there wouldn't be room for it in most of the models.  So, I was excited to find one where it would fit.  Funny story about the table, I ordered it from the craftspersons, who, of course, don't drive trucks, and horse-drawn delivery options between Minnesota and Maryland are limited and wildly impractical.  So, they contract with some of their neighbors in Minnesota who have a big trailer to do their deliveries, which they apparently do all over the country.  When they delivered my table, it required some assembly and the various parts were quite heavy, and in the process of getting it set up, I was treated to the sound of "Oof da!" several times.  It made me smile.  The only element of making this move and choosing a community and apartment that caused me any real regret was the fact that nothing I looked at in any of the communities had room for my table (except the eye-wateringly expensive communities that are probably inhabited by people much too fine for the likes of me), so it was likely I would have to give up my favorite table because it is rather big.  The things that turn out to be important are weird.  

The community also has assisted living and skilled nursing facilities.  They also have all types of in-home care assistance (at additional cost) to help people stay in their independent living homes as long as possible before having to go to assisted living or skilled nursing.  Some former colleagues live in this community and another lives in an Erickson community closer to D.C., and they are all very happy with their choice, so I expect to be happy there, too.  They have about 100 clubs and activities, so I should be able to find something to do that is fun.  In any event, I have a couple of years (more or less, depending on when my preferred apartment might become available) to get used to the idea and get ready to move, so at least I won't be scrambling around to find something on short notice.  I'm happy places like this exist for people like me with no immediate family and no nearby relatives.  Also, there will be other people's dogs to play with.   

The community looks awesome!

[daisylu]

Jul 21, 2024 14:30:46 GMT -5 dannylion said:

This is the community I chose:  Charlestown  

It is an established community in this area and well regarded.  The apartment model I chose isn't shown on the website.  They have over 100 configurations of apartments, so they only show a few representative models on the website and in the brochure.  The model I requested has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a sunroom with all the windows and the sunroom being at one end of the apartment, which means all the rooms have plenty of uninterrupted wall space for placing furniture. 

I wanted to be in the building that is closest to the small number of covered parking spaces, which I will have to get onto another waiting list for (and will have a separate fee, of course, if I get one) because I bought a new car last year and would like to keep it in a covered space if possible.  Fortunately, one of the models in that building had an extra-large sunroom that will accommodate my Craftsman-style table (custom made by Amish persons in Minnesota), which I love, but which I was afraid I would have to give up because there wouldn't be room for it in most of the models.  So, I was excited to find one where it would fit.  Funny story about the table, I ordered it from the craftspersons, who, of course, don't drive trucks, and horse-drawn delivery options between Minnesota and Maryland are limited and wildly impractical.  So, they contract with some of their neighbors in Minnesota who have a big trailer to do their deliveries, which they apparently do all over the country.  When they delivered my table, it required some assembly and the various parts were quite heavy, and in the process of getting it set up, I was treated to the sound of "Oof da!" several times.  It made me smile.  The only element of making this move and choosing a community and apartment that caused me any real regret was the fact that nothing I looked at in any of the communities had room for my table (except the eye-wateringly expensive communities that are probably inhabited by people much too fine for the likes of me), so it was likely I would have to give up my favorite table because it is rather big.  The things that turn out to be important are weird.  

The community also has assisted living and skilled nursing facilities.  They also have all types of in-home care assistance (at additional cost) to help people stay in their independent living homes as long as possible before having to go to assisted living or skilled nursing.  Some former colleagues live in this community and another lives in an Erickson community closer to D.C., and they are all very happy with their choice, so I expect to be happy there, too.  They have about 100 clubs and activities, so I should be able to find something to do that is fun.  In any event, I have a couple of years (more or less, depending on when my preferred apartment might become available) to get used to the idea and get ready to move, so at least I won't be scrambling around to find something on short notice.  I'm happy places like this exist for people like me with no immediate family and no nearby relatives.  Also, there will be other people's dogs to play with.   

OMG, I worked there as a teen some 35 years ago as did a lot of my classmates! Right behind the Giant grocery store on Wilkens Ave. My Aunt lived just down the street on Wilkens and managed the KFC that used to be there across from the cemetery. 
From what I remember they treated employees well and it was difficult to get a position there if you didn't know somebody. The people living there seemed to enjoy it. I hope you like it too.

[dannylion]

Jul 21, 2024 15:29:26 GMT -5 daisylu said:

Jul 21, 2024 14:30:46 GMT -5 dannylion said:

This is the community I chose:  Charlestown  

It is an established community in this area and well regarded.  The apartment model I chose isn't shown on the website.  They have over 100 configurations of apartments, so they only show a few representative models on the website and in the brochure.  The model I requested has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a sunroom with all the windows and the sunroom being at one end of the apartment, which means all the rooms have plenty of uninterrupted wall space for placing furniture. 

I wanted to be in the building that is closest to the small number of covered parking spaces, which I will have to get onto another waiting list for (and will have a separate fee, of course, if I get one) because I bought a new car last year and would like to keep it in a covered space if possible.  Fortunately, one of the models in that building had an extra-large sunroom that will accommodate my Craftsman-style table (custom made by Amish persons in Minnesota), which I love, but which I was afraid I would have to give up because there wouldn't be room for it in most of the models.  So, I was excited to find one where it would fit.  Funny story about the table, I ordered it from the craftspersons, who, of course, don't drive trucks, and horse-drawn delivery options between Minnesota and Maryland are limited and wildly impractical.  So, they contract with some of their neighbors in Minnesota who have a big trailer to do their deliveries, which they apparently do all over the country.  When they delivered my table, it required some assembly and the various parts were quite heavy, and in the process of getting it set up, I was treated to the sound of "Oof da!" several times.  It made me smile.  The only element of making this move and choosing a community and apartment that caused me any real regret was the fact that nothing I looked at in any of the communities had room for my table (except the eye-wateringly expensive communities that are probably inhabited by people much too fine for the likes of me), so it was likely I would have to give up my favorite table because it is rather big.  The things that turn out to be important are weird.  

The community also has assisted living and skilled nursing facilities.  They also have all types of in-home care assistance (at additional cost) to help people stay in their independent living homes as long as possible before having to go to assisted living or skilled nursing.  Some former colleagues live in this community and another lives in an Erickson community closer to D.C., and they are all very happy with their choice, so I expect to be happy there, too.  They have about 100 clubs and activities, so I should be able to find something to do that is fun.  In any event, I have a couple of years (more or less, depending on when my preferred apartment might become available) to get used to the idea and get ready to move, so at least I won't be scrambling around to find something on short notice.  I'm happy places like this exist for people like me with no immediate family and no nearby relatives.  Also, there will be other people's dogs to play with.   

OMG, I worked there as a teen some 35 years ago as did a lot of my classmates! Right behind the Giant grocery store on Wilkens Ave. My Aunt lived just down the street on Wilkens and managed the KFC that used to be there across from the cemetery. 
From what I remember they treated employees well and it was difficult to get a position there if you didn't know somebody. The people living there seemed to enjoy it. I hope you like it too.

I met nurses' aides when I volunteered in the ER a few years ago who also worked in various skilled nursing facilities who said it was considered a good place to work, but it was hard to get a job there.  Had Charlestown taken over the neighboring Catholic seminary and turned it into residences when you worked there?  It's apparently grown considerably over time.  I was surprised at just how big it is when I visited as I had never actually been there before.  I understand it was the first Erickson community.  My doctor says several of her patients live there and like it, so I'm hoping it will work out well for me, too.  There is a branch of the retiree's organization associated with my former employer listed on the clubs and activities page, so I expect I will encounter at least a few people I know.   

[movingforward]

That community looks very nice. I was a little surprised by the entrance fees though. The ones I looked at with my dad have similar monthly rates but the entrance fees were only $3K -$5K. Huge difference. He is in the Las Vegas area so maybe that is why.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Jul 21, 2024 17:12:52 GMT -5 movingforward said:

That community looks very nice. I was a little surprised by the entrance fees though. The ones I looked at with my dad have similar monthly rates but the entrance fees were only $3K -$5K. Huge difference. He is in the Las Vegas area so maybe that is why.

Yes, the pricing is interesting. I think it has to do with being a lifetime guantee for the resident? So if the monthly fee is less than your social security, you are golden?

But if you need assisted or skilled nursiing or memory care, not sure what happens there.

My mom's facility was 10k fee to walk in the door. and then ~ 5000/month for a tiny appartment, plus extra for assisted living something like 1500-2500 for various levels of nursing services. You did have to demonstrate 2 years worth of payments in assets. So she is paying 7500ish a month.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Hope you love it there, Danny!

[soupandstew]

The community looks lovely and I hope you will be very happy there.  Some of our friends have moved to similar places and are quite satisfied.  

[dannylion]

Jul 21, 2024 17:21:02 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

Jul 21, 2024 17:12:52 GMT -5 movingforward said:

That community looks very nice. I was a little surprised by the entrance fees though. The ones I looked at with my dad have similar monthly rates but the entrance fees were only $3K -$5K. Huge difference. He is in the Las Vegas area so maybe that is why.

Yes, the pricing is interesting. I think it has to do with being a lifetime guantee for the resident? So if the monthly fee is less than your social security, you are golden?

But if you need assisted or skilled nursiing or memory care, not sure what happens there.

My mom's facility was 10k fee to walk in the door. and then ~ 5000/month for a tiny appartment, plus extra for assisted living something like 1500-2500 for various levels of nursing services. You did have to demonstrate 2 years worth of payments in assets. So she is paying 7500ish a month.

Yes, there is a lifetime guarantee for residents.  Residents pay for the level of care they are receiving, so if I need to move to assisted living or skilled nursing, the cost would be in the range of $8000 per month or $12,000-15,000 per month, respectively.  They do a thorough financial review of prospective residents because once you're in, you're in for life.  If you run out of money, there is a benevolent fund that takes over and pays.  Ninety percent of the buy-in fee is returned to the estate, unless the resident needs to tap into it to pay expenses because they ran out of other money.  Once that is gone, then the benevolent fund pays.  So, the buy-in fee is high, but if you don't run out of money, 90% will go back into the resident's estate.  I expect the fees are invested to provide operating funds for the facility, but the amount returned is only based on the original buy-in fee, not any interest earned.  

[TheOtherMe]

My parents had a buy in fee at their independent living facility.  The estate got back 90% or it would have gone toward expenses if they had moved to assisted living.  

They have changed the return % where it is less for every year one lives there.  Dad was at the point where 50% of the buy in would be returned today.  
t 
It's beautiful.  I wish I had the kind of money that I could afford to live in a place like that.  I won't live where my parents lived because of the change in structure.  It's also very, very dated and they didn't make any improvements to my parents' unit in the time they lived there.  From the photos they show on FB they have not updated the common areas at all.  

They always have lots of openings and I think this is part of the reason.

[dannylion]

Jul 21, 2024 19:09:04 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

My parents had a buy in fee at their independent living facility.  The estate got back 90% or it would have gone toward expenses if they had moved to assisted living.  

They have changed the return % where it is less for every year one lives there.  Dad was at the point where 50% of the buy in would be returned today.  
t 
It's beautiful.  I wish I had the kind of money that I could afford to live in a place like that.  I won't live where my parents lived because of the change in structure.  It's also very, very dated and they didn't make any improvements to my parents' unit in the time they lived there.  From the photos they show on FB they have not updated the common areas at all.  

They always have lots of openings and I think this is part of the reason.

My parents lived in a nice CCRC in Chambersburg, PA, that was operated by Mennonites.  The original part of the community was very modest with small apartments in 1-story buildings, a fairly large skilled nursing center, and a modestly sized multistory building with the dining room, lunch counter, bank hairdresser, gym, and other amenities and the assisted living apartments.  Then they built some larger one-level homes with garages that they called townhomes because they were attached, and later a large new section with more upscale villa homes.  My folks chose one of the villa homes, which was nice, though not terribly luxurious.  It had a 2-car garage, which is what attracted my dad.  The community was very reasonably priced, especially the earlier, more modest homes, which started at about $50,000 for the buy-in.  My folks paid a buy-in of about $200,000 in 2004 when they moved there and the monthly fee was $725, so it was much more affordable than anything available in Maryland at the time.  I'm sure both the buy-in and the monthly fee have risen significantly since then, but they are likely to be still rather reasonable.  As I recall, there was a reduction in the amount returned to the estate for every year of residence in the community, so I got back, I think, about $90,000 when my dad passed away.  My mom passed away 3 years before him.  There were other CCRCs in Pennsylvania that were also quite reasonably priced.  They tended to be in fairly rural areas, though, as Chambersburg was, without a lot to do for someone used to a different type of environment.  Chambersburg had a certain charm, but it did not appeal to me as a place to live for any length of time, so I did not consider moving there.  For folks who would like some amenities for a more reasonable cost, though, Pennsylvania is worth a look, and I expect there are other locations with more reasonable CCRC rates; it just takes some digging and figuring out how far away one is willing to go.  

[resolution]

Pennsylvania can be a bit risky, as it is one of the few states that enforces filial responsibility laws. So if you enter into nursing care in PA and then later run out of money, the nursing home can sue your children and win in court for any unpaid balances. The children don't have to live in PA to be liable.

[daisylu]

Jul 21, 2024 15:54:02 GMT -5 dannylion said:

Jul 21, 2024 15:29:26 GMT -5 daisylu said:

OMG, I worked there as a teen some 35 years ago as did a lot of my classmates! Right behind the Giant grocery store on Wilkens Ave. My Aunt lived just down the street on Wilkens and managed the KFC that used to be there across from the cemetery. 
From what I remember they treated employees well and it was difficult to get a position there if you didn't know somebody. The people living there seemed to enjoy it. I hope you like it too.

I met nurses' aides when I volunteered in the ER a few years ago who also worked in various skilled nursing facilities who said it was considered a good place to work, but it was hard to get a job there.  Had Charlestown taken over the neighboring Catholic seminary and turned it into residences when you worked there?  It's apparently grown considerably over time.  I was surprised at just how big it is when I visited as I had never actually been there before.  I understand it was the first Erickson community.  My doctor says several of her patients live there and like it, so I'm hoping it will work out well for me, too.  There is a branch of the retiree's organization associated with my former employer listed on the clubs and activities page, so I expect I will encounter at least a few people I know.   

They were about to take over the seminary. I drive by usually once a year on the way to a ball game and it is humongous compared to what it used to be. I remember when it was basically just one large building housing mostly people who need nursing care.

ETA - That is how we got summer jobs there. We were all Catholic school students.

[dannylion]

Jul 22, 2024 8:50:10 GMT -5 daisylu said:

Jul 21, 2024 15:54:02 GMT -5 dannylion said:

I met nurses' aides when I volunteered in the ER a few years ago who also worked in various skilled nursing facilities who said it was considered a good place to work, but it was hard to get a job there.  Had Charlestown taken over the neighboring Catholic seminary and turned it into residences when you worked there?  It's apparently grown considerably over time.  I was surprised at just how big it is when I visited as I had never actually been there before.  I understand it was the first Erickson community.  My doctor says several of her patients live there and like it, so I'm hoping it will work out well for me, too.  There is a branch of the retiree's organization associated with my former employer listed on the clubs and activities page, so I expect I will encounter at least a few people I know.   

They were about to take over the seminary. I drive by usually once a year on the way to a ball game and it is humongous compared to what it used to be. I remember when it was basically just one large building housing mostly people who need nursing care.

ETA - That is how we got summer jobs there. We were all Catholic school students.

Thanks for the background, daisylu, I knew virtually nothing about the history of the community before I visited last week.  It will be fun to have something new to explore and learn about.