We’re here to help every step of the way
We recommend and encourage coming to visit your new retirement community more than once before you decide to move in. It’s good to meet with our marketing professionals as well as residents and associates. After you feel confident that Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge is right for you, a marketing counselor will help you complete the required financial and medical applications. Typically, it takes three months from selection and deposit on an apartment or cottage until that residence is fully ready for you to move in. During this time, it’s important to stay in close contact with your marketing counselors who will help you develop a moving plan based on your specific needs and preferences.
Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge can offer assistance and information during every step of your decision-making, move-planning and move-in process. As a reminder, Compass Club membership allows you community access and privileges while you wait for your preferred residence to become available and ready for you.
FAQs
To get you started on your research, we’ve compiled a few of the questions future residents ask before making the move to our senior living community:
1May I personalize my residence?
Of course. If you have special preferences for certain interior design elements – paint, window treatments, floor covering – we’ll work with you to accommodate them.
2What about housekeeping and maintenance?
Leave that to us. We provide weekly light housekeeping and flat linen service, with additional housekeeping and other services available for an additional fee. All repairs and maintenance — inside and out — are taken care of.
3Will I have a voice in the community?
Absolutely. You’ll have the opportunity to join committees focused on different aspects of community life, and to participate on the community’s Resident Association. These resident committees support and advise the administration in both strategic planning and tactical execution.
4What is a CCRC?
Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) offer independent living and a comprehensive range of long-term care services, from assisted living and memory support to licensed skilled nursing care. These services are available on both a short- and long-term basis, as needed. At Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge, your transition between different levels of care is seamless thanks to Lifecare.
5Why choose a not-for-profit community?
Not-for-profit communities such as Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge manage their financial resources in accordance with their mission, with long-standing values reflected in governance and management. This means that profits go back into the community itself, rather than to investors or shareholders. What’s more, the benevolence fund of the Foundation ensures that residents who outlive their resources through no fault of their own will never be asked to leave. You can be sure that the revenues we generate are being used for the benefit of those who live here.
6Do all retirement communities offer Lifecare?
No. Although Continuing Care Retirement Communities do offer care services, not all of them offer the Lifecare agreement to pay for them. Lifecare makes your monthly fee more predictable if you should need to move through the levels of care. Lifecare at Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge provides short- or long-term care in a private room for about the same monthly fee you pay in independent living. What’s more, this fee is typically less than market rates for comparable care.
7Can the Lifecare contract option work with a long-care insurance policy?
If you have a long-term care insurance policy, you may be eligible to receive benefits from that policy paid directly to you if you ever need assisted living, memory care or skilled nursing. Consult with your insurance carrier or agent for specific answers regarding your individual policy.
8What is catered living?
Commonly known as assisted living, this service is characterized by a combination of individualized care, familiar surroundings and professional expertise. Residents enjoy private studio or one-bedroom apartments and are assured of ongoing wellness evaluations and levels of care that address their specific needs. Our licensed, compassionate staff assists with daily tasks as needed, and the many community amenities available in catered living help these residents more easily enjoy what matters most to them.
9How do I know if someone needs catered living?
In general, it’s best to start with a physician’s assessment. Depending on the circumstances of your situation, or that of your loved one, you can match needs to the right level of assistance. When help with daily tasks is needed — taking medicines, bathing, dressing, meals, transportation and housekeeping — a catered living residence can be the answer. Trained professionals provide this assistance while helping preserve an individual’s independence.
10What if my loved one needs more than is provided in catered living?
Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge can tailor catered living services to match the need, as well as offer memory care for those suffering memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
11What is respite care?
When family caregivers need time to attend to other obligations or simply need a break, respite care at Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge makes it possible. Loved ones can spend a few days or a few weeks in a lovely furnished apartment while receiving care, meals, activities and housekeeping. If you or a loved one needs a short-term transition from a rehabilitation center before returning home, respite care at Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge may be the answer.
12How does memory care differ from assisted living?
Patients who are cognitively challenged, whether from Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, require more attention than residents in catered living. Vista Memory Support helps build confidence by promoting choice and celebrating accomplishments through familiar schedules and surroundings.
13What’s the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia?
Dementia refers to the loss of cognitive functions (thinking, reasoning, the ability to remember) that are severe enough to interfere with a person’s daily functioning. This group of symptoms is not a disease per se, but may accompany certain diseases or conditions. Dementia is irreversible when caused by disease or certain injuries.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain, characterized by loss of function and death of nerve cells in several brain areas, leading to loss of recent memories and new learning first, and eventually old memories, too.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain, characterized by loss of function and death of nerve cells in several brain areas, leading to loss of recent memories and new learning first, and eventually old memories, too.
14What conditions require skilled care?
- Congestive heart failure
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Stroke
- Cardiac failure
- Parkinson’s disease
- Diabetes
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Other major illness
- Hip or bone fracture
- A fall-related injury
- Orthopedic surgery
- Severe osteoarthritis
15When would someone need long-term care?
- An ongoing health condition or disability
- Chronic severe pain
- Chronic medical condition
- Permanent disability
- Dementia
- Increased need for help with activities of daily living
- Advanced age that has led to frailty and a need for supervision
Resources
TRY OUR DOWNLOADABLE DECISION KEY:
- Identifies obstacles to choosing a retirement community
- Reveals the underlying pros and cons
- Illuminates issues of “aging in place” at home
- Sorts through key financial considerations
- Provides perspective on timing and Lifecare