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Christwood Lifestyle Guide

Published by Angell Marketing, 2017-06-15 14:11:21

Description: Information about life at Christwood.

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When planning for your future, the science of numbers is critical. Your savings, income andexpenses are key to mapping out your financial situation. Likewise, the art of imagining whereand how you want to live play an equally important role. It all comes down to smart planningand careful navigation.

How do you see your retirement?You’ve carefully planned ahead and made wise financial decisions for your future.Now you face some of your most important decisions: how and where to enjoy it?This Retirement Roadmap will help you do just that. After reviewing the informationin this booklet and carefully considering your future, we hope you feel well equipped,and even inspired, to realize the retirement that’s ideal for you.How and where do you want to live?How you live has everything to do with where you live. Taking into considerationyour preferences and what’s best for you is a critical step.When you visualize your personal retirement path, you should weigh the importanceof specific areas. How important is remaining independent? Secure? Among friends?Free from worry? By considering these aspects you can more easily set realistic,attainable lifestyle goals to get you to your ideal retirement destination. 2

Avoid roadblocks. Find out what’s most important to you. Take a moment to write down three things you’ve been hoping to achieve by a specific time in your life. Perhaps you’ve been thinking about downsizing or maybe you’ve been itching to travel. Even if you simply want to sit back and enjoy the freedom to do what you want, when you want, this roadmap will help you identify the obstacles in your way. Take a minute to consider your retirement goals and what might be standing in your way. Retirement wish list: Obstacles or challenges: What’s a “want” and what’s a “need”? Planning ahead for future needs will secure your future and give you, and your loved ones, peace of mind. It will also give you the freedom to pursue the things you’ve always wanted to have or do.3

Consider your potential future needs:What’s important to you in VERY SOMEWHAT NOTplanning for your future? IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANTPhysical Security and Safety _________ _________ _________ • Access to emergency response _________ _________ _________ • Proximity to friends or family _________ _________ _________ • Neighborhood changes or trends _________ _________ _________ • Safety of home design _________ _________ _________ • Risk of falls or accidents _________ _________Home Maintenance and Other Services _________ _________ _________ • Repairs (appliance, structural and others) _________ _________ _________ • Seasonal issues (lawn care, storm-related damages, etc.) _________ _________ _________ • Housekeeping and/or interior upkeep _________ _________ _________ • Exterior maintenance _________ • Transportation _________ _________ _________ _________Financial Security _________ _________ _________ • Value of investments _________ _________ _________ • Management of retirement and pension plans _________ _________ _________ • Implications of economic changes _________ • Uncertainty of government programs _________ _________ _________ • Possibility of outliving resources _________ _________ _________ _________Health Care (long- and short-term) _________ _________ _________ • Provision for emergencies _________ _________ _________ • Cost of future care _________ • Quality of future care _________ _________ _________ • Choice of care providers _________ _________ _________ • Name of decision maker(s) if you’re unable _________ _________ _________ _________Family Issues _________ _________ _________ • Who will make decisions _________ • Roles and expectations of adult children _________ _________ _________ • Inheritance issues _________ _________ _________ • Financial commitments _________ _________ _________ • Peace of mind _________ _________ _________ _________Socialization _________ • Connection to family and friends _________ • Need for privacy _________ • Participation in hobbies or interests _________ • Feelings of isolation _________ • Ability to attend outings 4

Making your money last for the long haul means understanding where your starting point is. You’ve saved for retirement. Wise long-range financial planning has seen you through ups and downs. Now, you’re positioned to be able to enjoy the lifestyle you want while protecting yourself against potential depletion of assets as the result of future health care needs or other eventualities. Completing the following chart will help you clarify your financial picture, so you’ll know what you can afford as you consider other living options. After you complete this section, you’ll be more aware of: Your income – how much you have available to spend, which is likely to remain fairly constant throughout retirement. Your current living expenses – which can be expected to increase annually. Knowing your true living expenses lets you more easily compare your current cost of living with other lifestyle options. Your nest egg (safety net) – how much you have available to cover an income shortfall, or to invest in a particular lifestyle you may choose. Nest Egg Income Expenses Home Value $__________ Social Security $__________ Mortgage/Rent $__________ Savings $__________ Pension $__________ Utilities $__________ Investments $__________ Retirement Fund $__________ Food $__________ Property $__________ Interest/Savings $__________ Maintenance $__________ Other____________ $__________ Rental Income $__________ Insurance $__________ ________________ $__________ Investment Income $__________ Medical/Dental $__________ ________________ $__________ Other____________ $__________ Transportation $__________ TOTAL: $__________ ________________ $__________ Entertainment $__________ ________________ $__________ Travel $__________ TOTAL: $__________ Other____________ $__________ ________________ $__________ ________________ $__________ TOTAL: $__________5

All signs point to your optimal health and happiness.A happier, healthier future begins with planning. That’s why having conversations nowabout your current and potential needs is crucial to protecting your wishes.You may want to consider a retirement community, especially one that offers independentliving and a full range of health services: assisted living, rehabilitation, skilled nursing andmemory care. Should the need arise, knowing in advance where you will receive healthcare services eases the burden on you and your loved ones to make important decisions.It pays to slow down and take in the scenery.The cost of retirement living and the services covered can vary substantially from oneretirement community to the next, even within the same city. Take your time to exploreyour options – understand what you can have for the investment you’re making. Simplyput, do some research before making a decision. And while you’re at it, expand yourquest to include what types of social activities and wellness programs each communityoffers. Developing new friendships, pursuing new interests and enjoying physical activitycan greatly benefit your future health and happiness. 6

Once you’ve made your appointment with a residency counselor, prepare for your visit with these helpful tips: Take your spouse, friend or family member with you on your tour. Many times we 1 lean on the opinion of others in making big decisions and this time is no different. If your friend or family member cannot attend your first appointment, ask the residency counselor if there’s an alternative time they may come, including nights or weekends. 2 Talk to residents and other staff members. Do they seem genuinely happy living/working at the community? 3 Take a list of questions with you. After reviewing this guide, you may have some points you wish to discuss in further detail with the residency counselor during your tour. 4 Visit a model or guest apartment. Are there varying floor plan options to accommodate diverse lifestyles? 5 Visit all levels of care. During your appointment, try to tour everything there is to see, such as a community center, restaurants, common areas, resident activity areas, health services, etc. Use the checklist on the following page to evaluate what you see on your tour.7

FIRST IMPRESSIONS NOTES: NOTES: Is cleanliness emphasized? Is there natural light NOTES: inside? Are there lively common areas? NOTES: NOTES: FOOD NOTES: NOTES: Did you enjoy your meal? Quality ingredients? Flexible NOTES:dining options? Is there a variety of food to choose from? NOTES: NOTES: SENSE OF COMMUNITY Do residents greet each other? Are they out and about in the community? GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION Is the community in a desirable location? RECREATIONAL FACILITIES/AMENITIES Is there a fitness center? Is there a monthly calendar of events? HEALTH SERVICES From what you’ve seen and heard, how would you rate the health services available? RESIDENTS Are residents happy and friendly, interacting and engaging with each other? Do they seem welcoming of new friends? LIVING SPACES Are there a variety of floor plans? Is there space for storage? Are you able to make personal upgrades? SECURITY AND SAFETY Do you feel that you will be safe in your apartment and the community while walking outside? ACTIVITIES Are there ways you can be involved in the community? If there’s not a club or activity currently offered, is there a sense you could contribute to starting a new club? 8

What does it all mean? Here’s an overview of commonly referenced terms and descriptions in senior living. Assisted Living Assisted Living Centers offer residents a variety of supportive services in a residential environment. Assisted Living bridges the gap between independent living and nursing home care by serving those who need general supervision and personal care services, but not nursing care. The type and degree of services offered and the individuals served within assisted living communities is determined by a variety of factors including the licensure of each center and the resident’s individual needs. Services typically include three meals a day, housekeeping and basic assistance with daily living activities, such as bathing assistance to supervision of self-administration of medication. Supportive services are provided in a way to maximize residents’ dignity, autonomy, privacy, independence and safety. Independent Living Communities Independent Living Communities are self-contained neighborhoods that include a multitude of amenities and services. They’re specifically designed to accommodate the needs and preferences of older residents by offering a variety of supportive services, particularly for those who wish to downsize and take advantage of an all-inclusive approach to a retirement lifestyle. Life Plan Communities (Formerly called CCRC) Life Plan Communities offer an innovative and independent lifestyle for older adults. Life Plan Communities are different from other housing and care options because they provide independent living, supportive services and the availability of assisted living, memory care and nursing care in a campus-like setting. As residents grow older, their needs will continue to be met in a familiar setting. They may also take advantage of a wide variety of activities and services conveniently offered within the community. What makes Life Plan Communities even more unique is the opportunity to enter into an agreement stating the community will provide housing with access to higher levels of care, if needed. Life Plan Communities Without Walls This option is an emerging senior living model that recognizes the desire of some to stay in their own home, yet have the benefits of a traditional Life Plan Community. By paying a designated fee and or ongoing monthly fees, older adults may stay in their own home, and have access to care from a known provider, without moving to the community. Clients may then have priority access to enter a level of care at the community at a future date. Residency Agreements Communities are typically available for a one-time deposit and either an annual or month-to-month lease arrangement. The monthly service fee will typically include a package of services such as a dining program, home and yard-care, housekeeping, flat linen services, transportation, social services and recreational programs. These fees vary by community and depend on the type of housing and services offered. Entrance fee residency agreements typically include a package of services as well as higher levels of care included or offered at a discounted rate.9

Home HealthHome Health services include a variety of professional services offered where the resident currently lives,whether in their own private residence or if they live in independent living at a senior living community.Services include a full spectrum and may be tailored to meet the individual and family’s needs. Home Healthis available at two levels – Medical and Non-Medical Home Health. Medical Home Health is delivered bycaregivers who are licensed to provide a full range of nursing and rehabilitative services. Non-Medical HomeHealth caregivers provide personal care, errands housekeeping, meal preparation and companion services.Memory Care CentersCommunities that provide Memory Care may be freestanding communities, or an extension of the AssistedLiving, Nursing Care Center or Life Plan Community model. By providing health and wellness services forseniors who may be suffering from various forms of dementia, care may span from early-stage memory careto advanced-stage and palliative, or end-of-life care. Residents and families benefit from the personalized caregiven by specially trained, licensed caregivers.Hospice CareHospice is traditionally an option for people whose life expectancy is six months or less, and involvespalliative care (pain and symptom relief ) rather than ongoing curative measures, enabling individuals to livetheir last days to the fullest – with purpose, dignity, grace and support. While some hospitals and otherhealth care centers provide hospice care onsite, in most cases hospice is provided in the patient’s ownhome. This enables one to spend their final days in a familiar, comfortable environment, surrounded byloved and the support of hospice staff.For-profit vs. Non-profit CommunitiesThe focus of not-for-profit providers is people – all resources go towards enhancing services and staff,improving facilities and responding to new community needs. The net result of which is to provide highquality care to our older population and their families. All not-for-profit providers are accountable to avolunteer board of directors drawn from the community, who ensure the organization stays true to itsmission and is an effective provider of services. Many not-for-profit aging-services organizations haveexisted in the same communities for generations, offering a stability that fosters peace of mind for botholder Americans and their families. They are far less likely to sell or close due to fluctuations in the economy.Read more about Not-for-profit Senior Living by visiting LeadingAge.org. 10

We just might offer the perfect retirement pace for you.People, like you, who move to a community such as Christwood tend to be planners.That’s why we move at your speed – focusing on your life and your plan. That’s why wealso provide an active, engaging lifestyle based on the eight dimensions of wellness –physical, social, spiritual, intellectual, emotional, vocational, financial and environment.We understand what it takes to create an inspiring environment and we’re committedto delivering upon that each and every day.Our list of activities is a wide-open road of possibilities.To say the list of activities at Christwood is long may be a bit of an understatement.Impressive, extensive and inclusive? Yes, those are much better words to describe thevast amount of exciting and unique things to do at our expansive, lively community.Many of our activities are also open to the public, which makes the gatherings evenmore diverse and fun.Discover the potential of Christwood.It’s easy to see the value of moving to a Life Plan Community like Christwood whenyou realize you’ll never worry where your care is going to come from or who is goingto provide it. Our trusted care coordinators ensure you receive the care you need andprovide unparalleled support every step of the way. We welcome your retirementquestions and will schedule a consultation and tour of our beautiful community atyour convenience. All you have to do is call (985) 292-1205. One of our RetirementCounselors will be happy to assist you. 100 Christwood Boulevard Covington, LA 70433 (985) 292-1205 Christwood is a faith-based, not-for-profit retirement community that welcomes all people.


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