1May I personalize my residence?
Of course. This is going to be your new home and with our standard features and your ability to upgrade, you can customize your home in almost any way you want. 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 this 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.
6What are some examples of activities?
- Ongoing concert and speaker series
- Four unique restaurant and dining experiences
- Theater, dance, symphony outings
- Local festivals and concerts
- Lunch and dinner outings
- Health and fitness classes
- Aerobics, aquatic fitness, yoga, Tai Chi, weight training
- Walking and hiking our 17-acre nature preserve
- OLLI classes
- Classes from Westminster Institute for Lifelong Learning (WILL) by residents for residents and Compass Club members
7How do I know a CCRC is best for me?
Check out our downloadable
decision key. Your guide to choosing well.
8What are the advantages of a Lifecare Community?
At Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge, the Lifecare agreement ensures you’ll receive any level of care you need, for as long as you need it, for essentially what you’re paying for your residence in independent living. Your expenses will be more predictable. Learn how Lifecare protects your assets and its unique tax advantages
here.
9What questions should I ask when deciding on a retirement community?
When looking for a retirement community, you should ask - Is your financial model Lifecare or Fee-for-Service? Do you have ALL levels of care right on campus? What is your star rating for your health care areas? What types of clubs and interest groups are available? What are some ways that I can learn more about your community? Do you have a waiting list?
10What does it cost?
There is an entrance fee and a monthly fee associated with each independent living apartment and cottage. The entrance fees start at around $200,000 and monthly fees start at around $3800.
11What is covered in the monthly fees?
Monthly fees cover your residence with a fully-equipped kitchen, utilities, weekly housekeeping and linen service, interior and exterior maintenance, transportation, meal plan as well as the fitness and aquatics center.
12How do my fees change as I need more care?
Our Lifecare financial model assures that your monthly fees will not increase based on a higher level of care. With the exception of yearly cost of living increases, your monthly fees will not change.
13Why is there an entrance fee?
The entrance fee is a one-time fee used to purchase a Lifecare agreement. This agreement assures you priority access to all levels of care whenever you may need it. It also assures you that your monthly fees will not change based on the need for a higher level of care. Essentially you are pre-paying for future needs in today’s dollars. Because of this, our residents may be able to see a tax benefit from a portion of the entrance fee and a portion of monthly fees. They also don’t have to worry about the escalating cost of health care or how they will pay for it in the future.
14Can I use my LTC insurance at WCBR?
The answer to that question depends upon the provisions and benefits of your individual policy. We have many residents who utilize their long-term care insurance policies. The benefits are realized once homecare or higher levels of care are needed. We have a full-time social worker who will assist with providing and filing documentation to insurance companies for reimbursement.
15Why shouldn’t I just stay in my home until I need care or hire a caregiver?
When this option is chosen, it takes choices away. Instead of making proactive plans for your future, you make reactionary decisions in the time of crisis. WCBR provides the “where” and the “who” – if there is ever a care need, our residents know where that care will take place and who will be providing the care. We also have a care team to provide support to our residents. This eliminates the worry over whether a caregiver will be able to come or having to manage a care schedule.
16What are the qualifications to live at WCBR?
There are three qualifications to live at WCBR. Age – minimum of 62, financial qualification, and medical qualification.
