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Helping Keep Aging Couples Together

Tue, June 18, 2019 Published by

One of the things that we are so often asked about by couples visiting Beatitudes Campus and considering their future is about what the future may look like as the years go by. About 70 percent of people over the age of 65 will need some type of long-term care during their lifetime, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). On average, women will need care for a longer period of time (3.7 years), compared to men (2.2 years), and 20 percent of those age 65 and older will need care for more than five years.

An active, healthy lifestyle can help protect your mind and body from disease and injury—which often leads to a need for long-term care. This is why we offer such a wide range of opportunities through the Life Enrichment department.Mike Smallwood and Jon Schilling are always eager to help you put together individual plans to support that healthy lifestyle. However, there are no guarantees in life and the question of whether—and how long—you or your spouse may need care remains unknown.

Since aging is an individual thing, a couple should not expect that both partners will have the same needs throughout retirement. As a couple ages, one partner may require assisted living or skilled nursing services, while the other partner remains able to live independently.

A continuing care retirement community (CCRC)/lifeplan community can help couples prepare for the challenges that an unknown future may offer. CCRCs provide a continuum of services—from independent living to nursing-home level health care—that is available if and when needed. I often hear Becky Black, our Director of Sales & Marketing, refer to it as “peace of mind” in your back pocket. If, after moving onto the campus, one spouse eventually needs a higher level of health care services, the couple can still be together here at Beatitudes.

Here is an example of how a lifeplan community such as Beatitudes Campus can meet the needs of both partners over time:

Jim and Jane move into an independent living apartment or patio home here at the campus. A few years later, Jane is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The couple continues to live together for a couple of years, but as Jane’s needs change, she moves into another section of the campus to receive additional care and support. Jim continues to enjoy the social benefits of living within the retirement community and can visit with Jane, who is just a short walk away, whenever he wants.

Those of you who are reading this article as residents – congratulations! You took one of the most significant steps you could in planning for your future. Those who are reading and still considering—our residency counselors can help you take a look at all of the variables and help you develop a plan. Couples who seek peace of mind in the face of uncertainty may want to consider a lifeplan community/CCRC as a viable retirement living choice to ensure that both partners will be taken care of now and in the future. And residents, don’t forget that you can be financially rewarded for sharing the good news with friends and family – your first successful referral will earn you $1,000 and the amounts go up from there. Stop by the sales center to get your referral form and begin earning!

 

Life Plan Communities Seen as Gift to Adult Children

Mon, May 13, 2019 Published by

One of the favorite moments in our presentations to those considering residency at Beatitudes Campus is when Jim and Marlene Plaster talk about the letter they wrote to their children alleviating them of the responsibility to make decisions for them as they progressed toward their “third act” in life.  You can usually hear a “pin drop” as they tell of the series of decisions that led them to the campus.  (By the way, I can’t tell you how much we appreciate the Plaster’s willingness to help us along the way…..Jim is our Residents Council President Emeritus, but they have also selflessly allowed their patio home to be the “model” for the future project over 220 times!)

“It’s the best gift my parents could have possibly given us at this stage of life.”  Comments like this are common among adult children whose parents live in continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), sometimes referred to as life plan communities.

Research reveals that family members who care for an aging loved one often experience clinically significant signs of depression, have less time available to spend with friends and other family members, and sacrifice financially by taking time away from their careers or retiring early.

It’s no wonder then that those whose parents are happily living in a continuing care retirement community consider it a gift. A study of 3,700 family members of CCRC residents revealed that 93% feel that the CCRC is providing good services to their loved ones and 77% would be likely or very likely to consider a CCRC for themselves in the future.

Cited as the most important features of the community were transportation services, availability of a fitness center, housekeeping services, walking paths, emergency call systems, and the availability of assisted living and healthcare services.

Of course, we always tell our prospects that whether you are considering a CCRC for yourself or a loved one, finding the right fit requires doing proper research and due diligence. Generally, that includes speaking with our Resident Ambassadors who have been through the very same evaluation process.  Contract details and pricing can vary dramatically from one provider to another. It is important to be sure that the community you are considering is a good match for your lifestyle, finances, and cultural preferences, and that it is well-managed, both operationally and financially.

One of the very best parts of my job is making sure we connect folks about these considerations.  With over 30 years in senior living services, I have had wonderful options to provide, but none as comprehensive and “resident-centric” as this campus.  How proud I am to let our standards speak for themselves through the authenticity provided by our Ambassadors and so many more.

Thank you for always giving a warm welcome to those visiting campus and letting them know why living here is restorative, powerful, fulfilling, purposeful and exciting (some of your “B” words on your badges)!  By the way, we will be working with your building reps to get everyone’s name badges updated with the new logo and your “B” word in the next few months—stay tuned for the updates coming in the next few weeks.

What an exciting time it is for the campus!  Our new patio homes are under construction with twenty-nine committed, our Promenade Residences priority B V.I.P. membership program has over 75 members and the campus redevelopment program is comprehensive and a testament to listening and planning for the best in senior living.  I am so proud to be a part of this process!

When to Get on the Wait List

Mon, January 8, 2018 Published by

Someone stopped me in the Bistro the other day and told me he often uses the articles that I have been putting in the Roadrunner to share with friends who are considering a move to Beatitudes Campus. That was a much appreciated compliment and it occurred to me today (New Year’s..) one of those reflective times when I am thinking of a lot of plans for 2018) that it might be worthwhile for all of you to have a bit of a tool to use when speaking to family or friends about their potential move to our Life Plan Community.

That’s really one of the best points – “Life Plan.” When you made the decision to live at Beatitudes, you did yourself the favor of taking one of the most important steps in planning for your “senior” years. If your friend or a loved one is considering their senior living options, they likely have begun doing research on retirement communities. With all of the choices available, it can be a lot to take in so the decision process can take some time, depending on the situation. Some senior living decisions are needs-based and move much quicker, while others are more preference-based and can take months or even years.

The timing conundrum

Ideally, one should not wait until the day they need to move to begin planning. If for no other reason, this can be problematic because of the very subject I am addressing here—there could be a wait list for the living setting you prefer. But one of the challenges of planning ahead for long term care housing needs is that it can be hard to foresee exactly when you will need it. It could happen slowly with the natural aging process or the progression of a degenerative disease, or it can occur quickly with an illness or injury. So it is advisable to get on the waiting list if you are looking at the Beatitudes for yourself or a family member; this way, when the time comes and your house sells or situation changes, you will hopefully be near the top of the list and, most importantly, you will be able to enjoy the many, many benefits of independent living on the campus while you can.

We are taking reservations right now for the new patio homes that we’ve announced and will begin “pre-sales” (deposits) in mid-February. Our priority program has reached 56 members with 47 who have paid their initial placeholder deposit for a chance at one of our 34 patio homes. One of the additional benefits that has also occurred during the last few months as we have presented the opportunity to hundreds of interested prospects has been that some are deciding to move into our present residences rather than wait! If your friends or family are eyeing a continuing care retirement community (CCRC, also known as a Life Plan Community) another consideration is that many communities require new residents be able to “walk in,” that is, they must be relatively able-bodied when they first move to the community. In fact, many Life Plan Communities have a very active base of residents such as we do who live independently today, but want to be someplace where care is available to them on-site when needed. Most Life Plan Communities maintain an assisted living and/or health care center in addition to offering independent living such as  Beatitudes Campus. We are blessed to have such highly rated licensed care options here for eventual needs as well as supplemental care options (Beatitudes Home Health and Beatitudes at Home) to extend independence.

How waiting lists work

Many Life Plan Communities have wait lists—yet, these lists are not necessarily just for assisted living or skilled nursing. When applicable, wait lists are often also associated with an independent living residence. When adding your name to a  wait list, you’ll typically specify which type of unit you desire, e.g., a patio home, one or two-bedroom apartment, etc. When a resident in your desired unit type moves out (often because their needs have progressed and they are transferring into the on-site assisted living or healthcare facility) then the unit becomes available to you.

Once you’re on the wait list, retirement communities may offer a variety of perks to future residents—maybe unlimited use of their pool and exercise facility, or access to other community events and activities. We have begun our L.A.F.F. (Lifestyle, Activities, Fun and Friendship) Club to facilitate that very type of relationship to the campus. In fact, a growing number of Life Plan Communities are beginning to call their wait list a “membership” just like ours. I would encourage residents-to-be to take advantage of this benefit as it allows you to begin the process of assimilating into the community and meeting future neighbors, even before you live there. We do have some club members who have not put their names on the wait list, but many do so in order to have good familiarity with the campus when the time is right.

It is also good to be aware that some communities will have an internal waiting list such as we do. If you find yourself in a situation where you need (or want) to move into the community and your preferred unit is not available—forcing you to settle for your second or third choice–you can go ahead and move in but stay on the internal list and wait for your desired unit-type to open up. Existing residents will typically get priority over non-residents, so you may be able to get your preference more quickly. Adding your name to the waiting list is one of the ways you can plan for your future. This step can give you and your loved ones a level of security, knowing that you will be well-cared for in the future.

Remember that, as a Beatitudes resident, if you refer a prospect who becomes a priority program member, you’ll earn $100. If that prospect does sign a residency contract and move into Central Park or a Patio Home, you’ll receive a $1,000 bonus after they have lived on campus for four months. Your second successful referral is worth $1250 and the third earns $1500 – that’s a possibility of $3750 a year! The only requirements are that the prospect is not already in our marketing database and that you do register the name with the sales staff prior to their initial tour.

These are indeed exciting times here and we are equally as excited to see all of the progress being made!

Why do you choose to live at Beatitudes?

Mon, October 16, 2017 Published by

We were meeting with a group recently about why Beatitudes Campus would be a good match for the expectations that they have in their senior years.  I was reminded of an event we held in Elaine’s about a year ago, when I interviewed a panel of residents who had already made the choice to live here, and Bill Wallace’s words came to mind about the pool at the home that he had sold.  He characterized it as a very pretty hole in his back yard into which he threw money.  I loved repeating that story, albeit I’m not sure I can tell it with the same humor as Bill, and familiarizing the group with the maintenance free living that is a part of Beatitudes Campus living.  The expense to fix unanticipated – and often costly – problems that can occur from faulty home fixtures, systems and/or materials is eliminated. When you move into a Life Plan Community, all internal and external repair and maintenance is included in your one convenient monthly fee. According to a recent article on gobankingrates.com, the average monthly cost to maintain and repair the average American home is $1,126, or $13,512 annually.

Life Plan Communities (alternately known as Continuing Care Retirement Communities—CCRCs) are staffed 24/7 so you don’t have to worry about being without help should you need it. It’s always a pleasure to inform groups like this and the general Phoenix community that our security staff is trained in life saving skills such as CPR and first aid and prepared and ready to assist if an emergency should occur.  We were the pilot site for the RiteCare Foundation in 2013 and remain among only a few communities who have chosen to be accredited as having a sufficient number of certified personnel trained and available 24 hours a day to deliver immediate resuscitation campus wide in the event of sudden cardiac arrest among a number of situations that might occur.  I sure love bragging about our security staff!

But one of the biggest aspects that we are proud to discuss is the value of staying socially connected and how that is a part of the fabric of Beatitudes Campus.  Life in a life plan community/continuing care retirement community provides countless opportunities to cultivate friendships and close social connections. This becomes increasingly important as we grow older and face a variety of circumstances that may trigger isolation and loneliness. A recent study conducted by Age Wave, “Five Myths & Realities of CCRCs” reported that low social interaction is as bad for seniors’ health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, is as dangerous as being an alcoholic, is as harmful as never exercising, and is twice as dangerous as obesity. The study further reinforced the reality that campuses such as Beatitudes offer opportunities to build new relationships and social connections with like-minded people.

As many of you know, when matched against the monthly expenses of maintaining your home and lifestyle, the cost of a life plan community can actually prove to be more economical.  This is a message that we are excited to deliver in many media avenues as we begin promotion for the new patio homes project.  Watch various newspaper publications, television and websites as we move forward with our exciting first step in campus redevelopment and don’t forget that our Friends and Family Resident Referral Program is still going on—amounts have been expanded and also anyone you refer for the Priority Program for the patio homes who, becomes a BeVIP Club member, earns you $100!

I listened to one of our resident ambassadors tell our prospects at a “Navigating the Waters” event (yes, they got me to wear a captain’s hat) that life in a life plan community gives you time to actively pursue the interests and hobbies that give you happiness and fulfillment. You no longer need to worry about cleaning the house, mowing the lawn, or trimming the bushes. Life Plan Communities are designed to relieve residents of these burdens precisely so they can enjoy time with friends and family and pursue the many social and recreational opportunities that are available inside and outside of the retirement community. So remember, now that you live at Beatitudes Campus, if you’ve always wanted to write a book, paint a masterpiece, research your family tree, or any of a myriad of other pursuits—NOW is your time!  I’m certain there is a group that you can plug into that will suit you.  Enjoy and BE Inspired (you’re going to see that new phrase and logo a lot soon—stay tuned!).

What’s in a Name?

Mon, February 9, 2015 Published by

What’s in a name? The founders of Beatitudes Campus thought a lot about the name of the campus fifty years ago. At first, the campus was called “North Congregational Retirement Home,” paying tribute to our roots. But, within a few years, they decided that the name just didn’t fit this active community and wasn’t descriptive enough. Our residents and our grounds seemed more like a college than a “retirement home.” Our residents were active, social and lifelong learners. After much reflection, our name was changed to Beatitudes Campus to reflect the lifestyle and the purpose.

Namestorm-Ledger LeadingAge, the national membership organization for not-for-profit continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) like Beatitudes Campus, has embarked on an initiative to find a new name for a continuing care retirement community—one that actually resonates who we are. According to Larry Minnix, president and CEO of LeadingAge, “It’s about the ‘R’ word – retirement – and the ‘C’ word – care.” These two words and the perceptions surrounding them are the reason LeadingAge is spearheading an effort to develop a new name for a continuing care retirement community.

Continuing care retirement communities like Beatitudes Campus are different from other senior living options because they combine an active and robust community where you can live independently with additional services available should the need arise. Yet, the name that we have been using to describe communities—Continuing Care Retirement Community – focuses mostly on care. We want to develop a name that focuses more on the unique living experiences that we have.

Beatitudes Campus residents, families and staff have been chosen by LeadingAge to help in this initiative, called “CCRC NameStorm.” LeadingAge is asking that our residents complete a short, 10-minute survey and be part of shaping the future of CCRCs. The survey is anonymous. It will ask a few general questions and will give you 11 different names and will ask you some questions about each name. The website address for the survey is www.researching.com/namestorm. We encourage you to complete the survey online, either on your own computer or in the Computer Lab on Tuesday the 10th or Thursday the 12th from 10 to 11:00AM. We will have volunteers there to help you complete the survey. We have a very limited number (about 40) paper surveys available at the Welcome Center.

I encourage all of you to participate. Your ideas and input on the survey will spark a new conversation about living as an older adult. Your input will help determine what name best describes the expanding possibilities that can be experienced in a CCRC.

Watch the Community Channel or look for flyers for more specific information about the survey. Thank you for participating in this most important endeavor.