Lifecare Communities

Action to take

Learn more about residential options for seniors.

Why

Like going on a vacation? What if you could live in a resort for the rest of your life?
I recently had the great pleasure of giving the keynote speech at Peconic Landing’s
fifth anniversary celebration. Just a few miles from the Hamptons on Long Island,
Peconic Landing is a premier “lifecare community” (also known as a
continuing care retirement community).

Peconic Landing has beautiful apartments and cottages overlooking the ocean.
Amenities include a heated swimming pool, tennis courts, and dozens of classes
–most taught by the residents.

Frankly I wondered if it would have an elitist club atmosphere.
Instead, I found residents had quite diverse backgrounds, lifestyles,
and interests. They were very open, friendly, mutually supportive,
and shared a strong sense of community. They were very pleased with
the community and their choice to live there. Some did volunteer work in the city.
Some had become accomplished artists since coming there. And some were very
into athletics and outdoor activities. They even had a synchronized swim team.

I’m against retirement if it means just taking it easy the rest of your life.
This wasn’t that kind of retirement. Most residents were on several committees
and lamented that there wasn’t enough time to do all the things they wanted to do.

Peconic Landing was a harbinger of dozens of such facilities popping up
around the country. As with owning a condo, maintenance is taken care of.
Residents also have one meal a day in one of the dining rooms.
We are talking grommet dining.

The lifecare refers to the community’s commitment to provide assisted living
or nursing home care, if needed, at the same the monthly fee residents pay
for independent living. This attenuates the fear of declining health or illness causing
a resident to run out of money. It also prevents the life disruption of having to
move to a new, strange facility if health declines.

Some earlier retirement centers had insubstantial funding and went bankrupt.
Many states now heavily regulate retirement communities and require
substantial cash reserves.

Different facilities for seniors have different financial arrangements.
The enrollment fee may be a few thousand dollars, a fee to cover lifecare services
($35,000 in Peconic’s case), or six figures for the residential buy in.
Some facilities guarantee residents can withdrawal most of their initial investment
if they leave. A few facilities have a six figure cost upfront in exchange for
care the rest of the resident’s life. Peconic Landing’s “equity-based” approach is fairly unique
in that residents purchase their apartment or cottage and receive the
tax benefits of home ownership. Later they or their heirs can
sell the home (hopefully at an appreciated price).

So is this for everyone? For most people the home they have lived in
for decades is home and they want to live there as long as possible.
For some living with family works well. In either instance there may be
a strong desire to be connected to the larger community and interact
with people of all ages. Fortunately, home health services,
homemaker services, and meals on wheels are increasingly available to
help seniors stay at home.

I think lifecare facilities are best suited for community minded people who want to
be with friends daily and be in a stimulating environment with lots of resources.
People who generally keep to themselves in their rooms would miss out on
many of the unique benefits. Lifecare facilities also offer freedom from the hassles of
home maintenance and shuttle buses for those who do not drive. Of course the
lifecare part offers the previously mentioned benefits in the event of declining health.

The costs are within reach of many middle class individuals and couples.
The costs do tend to select for well educated and/or achievement
oriented individuals. This in turn results in a more achievement oriented,
learning oriented community than is typically found in independent living or assisted living.

Any time one is choosing a facility, the quality of the staff and the meals is critical.
That is best assessed by multiple visits.

In conclusion, lifecare communities are a very welcome option for seniors who
are choosing where and how they want to live.

Quotes

A community needs a soul if it is to become a true home for human beings.
~Pope John Paul

There’s no place like home.
~Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz

Humor

Home is where you hang your head.
~Groucho Marx

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Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey is keynote speaker and author of the Oprah-featured book, Defy Aging and 52 baby steps to Grow Young. The books and his Reverse Aging anti-aging hypnosis CDs comprise his anti-aging system.