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Ah, the luxury of time...
enjoying fine
dining with
friends, trying
new specialties
of the Chef,
reviving the art
of conversation.
Retirement
means savoring
the good things
in life.
Photo courtesy of Bermuda Village |
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Assisted Living In The Carolinas
invite mom along...
many do! |
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elocating to the Carolinas may be something you have dreamed of for many
years. But what if your plans are challenged by aging parents needing
supportive health care services? That can be an unmanageable task,
especially if that family member is 500 miles away. One solution to
consider is bringing that family member with you and finding accommodations
with an appropriate level of care.
In other instances, young retirees with many years of active living ahead
of them have deliberately chosen communities with assisted living options,
or even towns that have excellent facilities for their later years. And, that
kind of planning ahead has paid off for those who have found the community
that suits them, and they want to stay there!
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ither way, living arrangement choices are plentiful and depend on health care
needs and income, and your desired level of involvement. Options range from
independent living to complete medical care with services provided or purchased
on an "a la carte" basis.
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Generally, there are five types of housing ~
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~ Independent living
~ Congregate care
~ Assisted living/catered living
~ Continuing care retirement communities (CCRC)
~ Skilled care nursing homes
Assisted living, which bridges the health care gap between independent living
and the skilled care of a nursing home, is seeing the greatest acceptance
by families seeking a lower cost option that will improve the quality of life
for loved ones over the age of 75. Typically, assisted living services are
25-40 percent less costly than a nursing home. They focus on
supporting those who need help with the activities of daily living
in a residential environment that promotes dignity, choice and privacy.
These services offer a cost-effective, compassionate combination of
housing, personal care, supportive services and health care.
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Assisted living tends to be the preferred choice for both the children
and the parents
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Facilities are designed and staffed to provide for residents who require some level of
support of their activities of daily living (ADLS), such as bathing, dressing, medication,
eating and personal hygiene. Assisted living may be freestanding or found in a continuing
care retirement community. Services typically offered include all meals, assistance with ADLS,
24-hour security, emergency call systems, transportation, laundry services, housekeeping and
social and recreational activities.
Assisted living operators are licensed as a Community Residential Care Facility by the SC
Department of Health and Environmental Control and in North Carolina as an Adult Care Home
by the state Department of Facility Services. Most communities now have some kind of assisted living
services. Typically, the first persons to inquire about services are the adult sons and daughters, 45 to
65 years old, who have parents living outside the area and need some level of support services. The
children want their parents to be close to them as they age and need more care. Assisted living tends
to be the preferred choice for both the children and the parents because of the residential, less
institutional environment and the affordability of the services.
For Mr. Kent Mathewson, the Catered Living service at Bermuda Village, near Winston-Salem, NC
offers the best possible option in this retirement community. Mr. Mathewson, is a former city
manager who planned cities from coast to coast, and published a book, Keeper of the Flame.
He has found catered living a real bonus for his life.
He mentions the catered living philosophy, the superb, caring staff, top-of-the line
private living quarters, a fully staffed infirmary, transportation as just a few of the
reasons he is so happy in this community.
"I should mention that on my first day here, I was greeted with a big cart coming to my
apartment, and it really took my breath away, with the beautiful fresh fruit, juice, coffee,
and their offer to fix eggs any way I wanted, with a side of bacon if I so desired." For Mr.
Mathewson, that was the beginning of being catered to in a way that he appreciates.
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From the professional hair stylist (no charge), to the laundry service
that starches his shirts "just right," he can find nothing to say that
doesn't positively glow with appreciation.
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After a stellar career and teaching stints in five different universities, he and his wife,
Mariana, had chosen a retirement club in San Diego, when a friend called to suggest taking a
look at Bermuda Village. "We did, and changed our minds immediately," he explained.
"This is the finest place to live I can imagine." At 85 years young, Mr. Mathewson has
been at Bermuda Village for 18 years. After losing his wife two years ago, he has found
the services and entertainment programs offered on a daily basis to be a wonderful diversion.
Asked what advice he would offer someone considering where to move for retirement,
he laughed and said, "Weather. Always, always consider the weather, and after you settle that,
look around at what's available. For us, this was absolutely the best choice."
Catered Living is a service that is growing in popularity among continuing care retirement communities,
because it provides a level of luxury care, yet allows continued independent living. It is particularly
attractive to couples when one spouse needs some assistance, but the other does not. This level
of care also is appealing to children of residents who want Mom to have just a little help with
medication, or personal functions.
Whatever the level of care needed, there are services available in wonderful towns and retirement
communities throughout the Carolinas. From Mr. Mathewson's point of view, the attention to
detail and quality of life at his home is taking the drudgery out of living, and bringing in the
entertainment, cuisine and personal amenities reminiscent of the finest luxury resort.
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~ Compiled by the CarolinaLiving.com staff
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