Enjoying retirement and living independently on your own terms is an ideal way to spend your golden years, but there may come a time when you need some extra help. We recently explored the importance of long-term care planning and the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have access to a continuum of care should your health needs change. But what does that continuum look like?
Today we are taking a closer look at Assisted Living, which WebMD defines as “a typeof housing designed for people who need various levels of medical and personal care.” While not everyone will require this type of care in their lifetime, the chances of needing short- or long-term assistance increase as your age. In fact, the Administration for Community Living estimates that approximately 60 percent of people will need assistance with daily tasks such as getting dressed, driving to appointments or preparing meals.
Hereat Brandermill Woods, we offer the full range of retirement experiences. Most residents join us for the many benefits of our Independent Living neighborhood—a thriving community of friendly faces and lively activities—and they love knowing they will be able to stay here even if they need AssistedLiving or long-term care support.
To help you get to know Assisted Living at Brandermill Woods, here are the top 5things you might want to know:
1. You can live a life of purpose in Assisted Living.
Often, the phrase “Assisted Living” may have a negative connotation—a place you go when you are unable to live independently—but today’s Continuum of CareRetirement Communities (CCRCs) understand the health benefits of personal autonomy. We designed our Assisted Living neighborhood to promote freedom and a life of purpose, while also offering the little bit of extra help you might need, ranging from routine nursing check-ins to medication management to help the tasks of daily living such as dressing and bathing.
What does it look like to live a life of purpose here? It starts with a private apartment so that you have the personal space to be yourself, as well as the freedom to come and go as you please and are able. Apartments come with safety features such as emergency call buttons, safety handles in bathrooms, and easy accessibility for wheelchair access.
But these days, we know that healthy aging is not just about avoiding disease, it’s also about staying active, social and engaged throughout life. That’s why we emphasize social engagement for residents and offer activities that cater to a variety of interests. Game nights, movie nights, classes, meals with friends, worship services—all of these activities support wellness in all its dimensions.
2. Our AssistedLiving neighborhood is vibrant and convenient.
The Chesterfield is our Assisted Living community at Brandermill Woods. The neighborhood’s private apartments are spacious and well-lit, offering a welcoming experience centered on your well-being. Residents are free to furnish and decorate them as they wish, and individually controlled heating and air means you set the temperature.
We have several floor plans available. Feel free to take a look and see which one meets your needs best. Some of the amenities and services you will enjoy include:
- Beautifully landscaped grounds
- Three nutritious meals prepared and served daily
- Elegant and modern dining room as well as a stylish lounge and bar
- A state-of-the-art therapy gym with wellness classes
- Scheduled transportation to shopping and medical appointments
- Daily housekeeping
- Medication management
- Help with dressing and bathing
- Around-the-clock caregiving support
In addition to your comfort, your health and safety are our top priorities. Here are some measures we’ve taken in this regard:
- A licensed nurse is on premises 24 hours a day.
- Call bells are available in each room and in the visiting area.
- All Assisted Living residents have emergency alarm pendants.
- Physical, occupational and speech therapy is available for recovery from illness or injury.
- Each exit has a monitoring system for resident security.
- Residents have priority admission toThe Health Care Center.
3. We want you to stay active and have fun!
Brandermill Woods is known as an amenity-rich retirement community. Residents who join us in Independent Living constantly tell us they wish they’d done it sooner. This level of excitement and activity doesn’t stop just because you may need the extra support of Assisted Living.
Our social calendar is updated every month to keep your days filled with fun activities and social events to enjoy with friends. Take part in games such as bingo, cards, puzzles and Uno, or get active with chair exercises and yoga. If you prefer things to take things a little slower, you’ll be able to explore your hobbies and other interests all at your own pace by doing arts, joining our book club and so much more.
4. We offer four levels of assistance at The Chesterfield.
One major benefit of our Assisted Living neighborhood is that we offer four levels of care so that you receive as much support as you need but only pay for the care you require. Here is a brief overview of what you can expect at each of the four levels:
- Level 1: This introductory level is for residents who need minimal care, and may only need supervision with one of the following six activities of daily living: bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, transferring, bowel and bladder.
- Level 2: A more advanced level provides assistance with two or three of the above activities of daily living, or for residents who may need routine staff intervention and monitoring.
- Level 3: The next level offers assistance with three of the six activities of daily living, as well as residents who need more intensive staff monitoring, including two-person assistance with transfers.
- Level 4: If a resident needs assistance with four or more activities of daily living, our highest level of assistance care is available.
For more information about these levels and service offerings, visit this page.
5. We are here to answer your questions.
When prospective residents or their loved ones reach out about our Assisted Living neighborhood, they have a common set of questions and concerns. Below are some of the most common questions we receive about The Chesterfield Assisted Living at Brandermill Woods:
Q: How do I know if AssistedLiving is right for me or a relative?
A: If you or a loved one needs assistance with one or more everyday activities such as meals, medication management, bathing, dressing and toileting then you ought to consider moving into an Assisted Living community.
Q: Are visitors allowed?
A: Yes! We love it when family and friends visit, so we encourage loved ones to stop by any time.
Q: Does my health insurance (Medicare and Medigap) pay for Assisted Living?
A: No, health insurance does not cover the costs of Assisted Living. However, certain health services (therapy, physician services, durable medical equipment) are billed to medical insurance if applicable. Brandermill Woods will also assist in billing an individual’s long-term care insurance if applicable.
Q: Are couples allowed to share an apartment?
A: Yes, couples may share either the Alcove or one-bedroom apartments. The cost for double occupancy is the rate of the resident with the highest level of care multiplied by 1.5%.
Q: Are pets allowed?
A: Yes, pets under 40 lbs. are permitted provided you are able to care for them. There is a one-time, non-refundable pet fee of $575. Residents are expected to safely and properly take care of their pet.
If you have additional questions or want to visit for a tour, we are here for you! If you or a loved one is thinking of joining our Assisted Living neighborhood, we will make the transition seamless and have you settled in no time. To learn more or schedule a tour, call (804) 744-1173 to schedule a tour today!
