Commonly Asked Questions and Answers:

What is “Life Care”? Life Care is caring for life. It is an arrangement by which persons pay an initial accommodation fee and monthly maintenance fees in exchange for living accommodations and services. All levels of care are provided, including acute care, physicians’ and surgeons’ services, and both skilled nursing care and personal care on premises of the retirement community, with no change in fees based on level of care.

Do we actually mean “for life”? Yes. Residents in our Life Care program know that our medical care and services continue regardless of what happens to them financially. Should they be unable to meet their obligations, this care would continue without any change in accommodations or reduction in services.

What do we mean by services? Services in our Life Care retirement communities include three full-course meals each day with a selection of entrees, dietitians to plan nutritional meals and address special dietary needs, weekly maid service, linens, utilities, all maintenance services, gardening services, use of recreational facilities, special activities and nearly total medical and hospital care.

Why “nearly” total medical care? Full physicians’ and surgeons’ fees are covered as well as the cost of hospitalization, without deductible or time limitations. The cost of most other needed medical care is covered as well. There are a few exceptions, largely items for which overutilization is difficult to avoid, making their omission in the best interests of the resident population as a whole.

Does hospitalization include convalescent care? Yes, this is one of the most important benefits. There is no greater need for the elderly person than convalescent hospitalization, for which affordable full-coverage private insurance is practically impossible to obtain, and then provides only reimbursement, not care. Suppose a resident needs extensive hospitalization, either acute or convalescent.

Will the monthly payments increase when there is a need for more direct and intensive services? No. In our medical program, the resident continues to pay only the fee that is normally charged for his or her living unit in the retirement community.

Will the monthly fees increase if I am hospitalized three months or longer? Unlike many other plans, your monthly fee will not escalate because of the length of your hospitalization. Most retired persons have moderate, fixed retirement incomes which are less adequate as living costs increase. Suppose these persons require expensive hospitalization; this may well exhaust their savings and eventually place them in debt. In an ESC Life Care retirement community program they are protected regardless of the medical care required; and again, if they become unable to meet their financial obligations, their care will continue without change. This is what we mean by the security of a “full Life Care retirement” program.

How are financial arrangements handled? In our Life Care program the resident pays a one-time accommodation fee plus a monthly maintenance fee. The monthly fee represents the cost of providing you with a wide range of services, many of which are not generally found in most other retirement community programs. Since services are provided on a nonprofit basis, fees will always be the lowest possible to provide the wide range of services offered.

What is the accommodation fee? The accommodation fee in general covers the cost of “your share” of all the facilities, including the living unit you select. It provides for the use of your apartment, all activity and recreational areas, a fine dining room, lounges, library, a first-rate skilled nursing facility, therapy rooms, exercise room and outpatient doctors’ offices.

What happens when a resident dies? In our Life Care program, the apartment reverts to the Foundation. This allows residents to occupy apartments, at a cost far less than would be necessary for full ownership, and avoids many operational and resale problems as well. If persons have questions along these lines, it is wise to check with their attorney, investment counselor or bank before signing a contract.

What happens if a resident wants to move out? Residents have a 90 day probationary period during which they can recover their accommodation fee, less any actual cost of care while in residence. After ninety days, a person would get back his or her accommodation fee, less 1.66% per month of the original accommodation fee. Thus, there is a proportionate refund up to 60 months.

Do we think that Life Care is the answer to the housing problem for all senior citizens? No. Some persons would not be happy living in a Life Care retirement community residence, regardless of locale or quality of services; however, the popularity and demand for such programs sometimes exceeds the availability of these facilities and often well-managed and properly financed Life Care programs have waiting lists. Life Care is set up to keep the resident completely independent. There are no restrictions other than those of a well-run apartment hotel complex. The purpose of Life Care is to extend that part of people’s lives during which they still live independently and can enjoy the full life. Security is provided in all matters of financial and health concerns.

What do we mean by the “full life”? We refer to the many conveniences, as well as to the services offered in our retirement communities. Residents do not have to bother with heavy housekeeping, cooking, grocery shopping, utility bills, maintaining their homes, or worry about unforeseen medical expenses. All this is included in your Life Care contract. The resident of a Life Care retirement community may enjoy the full life and discover new interests and hobbies that have long gone undeveloped. What happens when a resident needs more assistance? This is a fundamental benefit of Life Care—“SECURITY”! Residents of Life Care retirement communities know that if they need help, they will get it. If they require meals served in their apartment, they will receive them. If they need temporary nursing help in their apartment, they will have it. If they need personal assistance, it is available from our caring staff. Living alone, they would have to rely on neighbors or relatives for their physical needs and possibly even some financial assistance. If none were available, they would have to obtain costly services, or enter a convalescent hospital. Life Care retirement community residents are assisted in remaining active and ambulatory and in their homes as long as possible. If they reach the point where they need personal care, they will receive it. If they need full-time nursing care, they will be cared for in a community whose sole concern is for their well-being. Residents know they can spend the rest of their lives in safety and dignity in a caring community.

What do we mean by a “caring community”? A caring community is one in which the staff is available 24 hours a day to serve you. It is a community of companionship, which respects each person’s importance and responds to each person’s needs.

Why is it important to provide complete Life Care on the premises of a retirement community? So that when one needs this care, they will have their friends and companions close by. After all, this is your home! This is especially important for couples.

At what age should a person consider a Life Care retirement community? “At what age” is difficult to answer, other than to mention a minimum age requirement of 65 years. You are never too young to enjoy “Security and the Full Life©.”

How should one choose a retirement community residence? The first important decision is to examine the completeness of the medical program and the services offered. There are many retirement communities which only offer limited or modified services. Other retirement communities require you to move out if you are unable to live independently or, in a few cases, may provide you with the needed medical care at another facility with escalating medical costs. We feel one should choose a retirement community residence that provides all these services at the same location and with a minimum of conditions and restrictions. The second decision is location, and only the prospective resident can determine this. It must be realized that you will spend years at this location and it should be located where you choose to live.

What follows in importance? Next, the complete program itself must be evaluated. The variety of accommodations offered, services, meals, restrictions, and the availability and completeness of medical care must be examined. Ideally, one would choose a retirement community with a minimum of conditions, yet one which provides all the amenities most people need for their future security and protection.

What “conditions” for example? The retirement communities sponsored by the Episcopal Senior Communities have only minimal restrictions or conditions. Generally these restrictions apply to normal consideration of others.

How do other retirement communities differ from Life Care retirement communities? Most are entirely different in that they fill a gap between pre-retirement living and true Life Care. Often our residents are from other types of retirement communities. They were happy there, but they reached a point where our services and complete Life Care program became a more attractive way of life.

What is the future of Life Care retirement communities? The popularity of Life Care retirement communities is increasing rapidly. Episcopal Senior Communities offers lifetime care and security to senior citizens in a healthful atmosphere and an enriching environment. This Life Care concept provides an exciting and vibrant living experience which warrants your inquiry. “Security and the Full Life©” is our motto.

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