The Wise Choice for Senior Living in Westminster, MD
Senior living in Westminster, MD, and other parts of the country has evolved over the years, starting with seniors themselves. Today, seniors are living longer and leading more active lives than ever before.
Senior living communities reflect that vitality and create stimulating environments, so your retirement is fun and fulfilling. At Carroll Lutheran Village, we fully embrace that commitment.
Considering Independent Living in Westminster, MD? The Time to Start Planning Is Now
Here’s a little secret: The best time to start planning for senior living is before it’s needed (e.g., experiencing a health complication). Without the urgency, planning is less hurried, allowing for a one step at a time approach.
We’re not the only ones saying this. Senior living professionals across the country tell their clients the same thing—start your search in your late 60s or early 70s, even when you don’t feel ready. Why? Because it gives you time to truly explore your options, get on those popular community waitlists and adjust your savings if needed.
First, think about what retirement means to you. What gives you joy, purpose or peace?
Second, consider your financial situation, including all the sources of income you’ll have once you retire (e.g., pension, Social Security, savings). Then think about your expenses. Senior living communities like Carroll Lutheran Village can simplify your budgeting with predictable monthly costs that include housing, activities and more.
Consider housing options. The maintenance-free lifestyle that senior living communities offer can be very appealing. What happens if you need additional care down the road? Life Plan Communities such as Carroll Lutheran Village—also known as continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs)—offer an active lifestyle now, along with the peace of mind of knowing your future care needs will be met.
The Financial Advantages of Life Plan Communities
Think you can’t afford a Life Plan Community? Think again. When you add up what it costs to maintain your current home—mortgage, taxes, utilities, repairs, lawn care, and other services—a Life Plan Community often costs less than you’d expect.
And there’s another advantage many people don’t consider. Harvard Health Publishing notes that CCRCs eliminate worries about home maintenance and repairs, and you no longer need to do regular grocery shopping or house cleaning since meals and cleaning services are usually included. Plus, with certain contracts, you’ll know exactly what your monthly expenses will be for your entire retirement. No surprise roof repairs, no skyrocketing property taxes, no wondering what healthcare will cost in 10 years. You’re essentially paying for future healthcare with today’s dollars instead of dealing with tomorrow’s inflated costs.
The one-time entrance fee gives you a lifetime right to live in your residence without the worries and costs of home ownership. Plus, when you factor in all the amenities, services, vibrant lifestyle options and peace of mind for the future, it becomes quite a value.
Wellness is one aspect of retirement life you simply can’t neglect. At Carroll Lutheran Village, we’ve developed an award-winning wellness program to help you reach your personal best through six dimensions of wellness: physical, emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual and vocational.
The bottom line is that right now you’re in the best position to make thoughtful, proactive senior living choices that align with the life you want to live, today and in the years ahead.
Senior Apartments Are Just One of Many Options
If you’ve begun to explore your senior living options, you’ve no doubt discovered a lot of choices are available. So, we’ve compiled information on two of the most common senior living options.
55+ Communities
Most 55+ communities charge a fixed monthly fee that includes meals and other services. Typically, they do not offer long-term care such as assisted living, memory care or on-site skilled nursing.
Life Plan Communities
Life Plan Communities are all about holistic wellness, wide-ranging opportunities for personal growth and social interaction.
Life Plan Communities, such as Carroll Lutheran Village, embrace research that shows staying physically healthy, mentally engaged and socially connected can lead to a longer, healthier, happier life.
Life Plan Communities provide an ideal setting to explore interests, travel, socialize with friends and more. Once you’re a resident, you’ll be liberated from all home maintenance such as cutting the grass, shoveling snow or cleaning the gutters. You’ll have time to do whatever it is you enjoy most.
At Carroll Lutheran Village, we also provide additional services that include safety protocols, groundskeeping, scheduled local transportation for shopping trips and appointments, a robust calendar of events and a variety of on-site restaurants. Speaking of restaurants, we offer four options that range from fine to casual dining, including Zest, our farm-to-table restaurant that serves fresh, locally sourced ingredients. We also offer a Coffee/Tea Bar and Pub for cozy gatherings and conversation.
The one-time entrance fee gives you a lifetime right to live in your residence without all the worries and costs of home ownership—(assuming you’re a good steward of your finances). You’ll no longer be responsible for property tax. Life Plan Communities typically offer a variety of entrance fee contracts. Carroll Lutheran Village offers a fee-for-service contract, also known as a Type C contract. The fee-for-service contract typically offers the lowest entrance and monthly fees, and you’ll only pay for higher level of care if and when you need it. The monthly fee covers daily living expenses like utilities and use of services and amenities.
Arguably, a Life Plan Community’s greatest appeal is that it offers you a full continuum of care should your needs change. Most Life Plan Communities offer assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care for those dealing with Alzheimer’s or other cognitive challenges—all within the community. This means you can stay in the same familiar environment, maintain your friendships and continue to enjoy many of the same amenities and social opportunities.
When you add up all the expenses of living in your own home, you may find yourself surprised at just how affordable a Life Plan Community can be. Plus, when you consider all the amenities, services, vibrant lifestyle options and security for the future, a Life Plan Community becomes an incredible value.
Learn More About Senior Living at Carroll Lutheran Village.
Carroll Lutheran Village has created a comprehensive guide to the senior living options available to you, including Life Plan living in Westminster, MD. It can give you more details on contract options, financial planning and much more.
Planning the next chapter in your life can be an exciting experience, especially when you have a solid understanding of the process. Be sure to get our senior living options guide today.
Lutheran Social Ministries of Maryland welcomes Lisa Pearre as vice president of marketing and communications. Pearre leads the strategic marketing and communications efforts for LSMMD and its communities – Carroll Lutheran Village in Westminster, MD and Lutheran Village at Miller’s Grant, Ellicott City, MD.
Lutheran Social Ministries of Maryland recently became part of a small number of Maryland senior living communities that are harnessing solar power at its continuing care retirement communities (i.e. life-plan communities) to help preserve the environment and reduce the communities’ electrical use and costs. Always mindful that its communities are part of larger communities, the non-profit senior living organization views solar energy as connecting and supporting those larger communities while supporting aging through innovation and thoughtful stewardship.
LVMG resides on what was once farmland and some of the farm’s natural elements still exist – pond, woods and wildlife – which residents’ value. Nature’s beauty surrounds the community and more so at CLV. Like its sister community, CLV was built on farmland and is still surrounded by farms. Lush green trees, rolling hills and unobstructed sunrise and sunset views are just some of the scenes that are visible from residents’ homes and apartments.