Frequently Asked Questions
About Independent Living
- Are pets permitted?
- This varies with each Independent Living and Personal Care community. Use our community finder to create a comparison checklist.
- Is there minimum age for residency?
- Yes, residents must be at least 62. For a couple, at least one partner must be 62; the other must be
at least 55.
- Should I have Long Term Care Insurance to move to a Presbyterian Senior Living community?
- While not mandatory, Long Term Care Insurance might help to cover the costs of Personal Care and Health Care services. Check the terms of your LTC policy.
- As a resident of an Independent Living community, what kind of insurance should I have to protect my personal possessions? Renter’s Insurance? What about other insurances?
- You need Renter’s Insurance for the amount of your personal property. In addition, you should retain your health, liability, auto, and life insurance, just as though you were living outside of a retirement village.
- Do I have to be a member of a Presbyterian Senior Living Community to be considered for admission to the Personal Care residence?
- No. Our current residents, however, have priority should they need additional care. Call for availability.
- Must I be Presbyterian or a member of a Presbyterian Church to be accepted for admission?
- No. Presbyterian Senior Living communities enjoy the strength and stability of an organization that has served seniors for more than 80 years. Caring for people is not just our job – it’s our calling. It is our policy to admit and treat all residents without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, sex, religious creed, handicap or disability.
- Is smoking permitted?
- Presbyterian Senior Living communities are committed to providing a healthy environment for both residents and staff. As of January 1st, 2011 residents, employees, visitors, vendors, contractors or volunteers will not be permitted to use any tobacco products on our properties. Part of our effort to support this change will be offering tobacco cessation programs at each community for all residents and staff. We are pleased to join many other organizations that have taken this step and are reaping the benefits of a healthier environment.
- What makes Presbyterian Senior Living Communities different?
- Presbyterian Senior Living Communities have the strength of a relatively large organization and the financial resources to provide the security that older adults expect from an organization that promises to be there for as long as needed. Our individual communities, however, offer a range of sizes and reflect our commitment to the personal touch. They are places where the staff can know each resident as an individual, and where residents’ likes and dislikes are recognized and accommodated whenever possible. Being not-for-profit gives our organization the freedom to concentrate on the needs of residents first. While for-profit corporations have the dual responsibility of providing care for residents, as well as satisfying the needs of investors, we can remain more sharply focused on meeting the needs of residents. We believe that the ability to express these higher values also enables us to attract employees and volunteers with similar values.
- Can I upgrade my appliances, carpet, fixtures, etc? Can I have my unit painted a different color? Can I add a sunroom, screen porch or cover my deck? If yes, must I contract for the work myself or would it be done through the community?
- Upgrade possibilities can vary greatly from one cottage, villa or apartment to another. We are always open to discussing preferences or ideas that will make you more comfortable and enhance your surroundings.
- Are criminal background checks conducted?
- We are committed to the safety of all of our residents. Criminal background checks have historically been routinely conducted for all staff prior to hiring. In addition, effective January 1, 2011, criminal background checks will be conducted during the application process for independent living residents to identify felony convictions which may interfere with the health, safety, and right to peaceful enjoyment of other community residents.
- Do you permit hunting and/or heirloom firearms?
- Liability is an issue regarding the storing or displaying of weapons on site. Guns and other weapons may NOT be retained or stored in Independent Living. Please consult with the individual community director about the rules and regulations for collector weapons.
- Are there additional costs/fees other than the monthly fees, cost to move in and telephone bill? Any hidden fees similar to condo or maintenance fees?
- There are no hidden charges. Naturally, if a resident chooses to upgrade appliances, add an extra
room/sunroom, paint a room or entire residence or make other interior or exterior changes to the unit, outside normal wear and tear and repair for which the community is responsible, the resident would need approval for such changes from the Executive Director and would be billed accordingly.
- Is full payment of the residency entrance fee required at the time of move in or can it be done in payments? Is financing available?
- A percentage, which varies by community, is required at the time the contract is signed. Balance is due at move in.
- Once a deposit has been made and I am placed on the waiting list, am I allowed to turn down a home that becomes available? Is there a limit to the number of times I can turn down a home without losing my priority on the waiting list?
- Yes, you can turn down a home that becomes available. The deposit remains good and can be applied toward the entrance deposit upon signing a contract. You can turn down any unit offered without losing your place on the waiting list.
- You offer several refund options, how do they work?
- The Resident Investment at Presbyterian Senior Living Communities is YOUR investment in your best future. To accommodate residents with varying estate requirements, our communities offer several different Resident Investment Programs. All plans offer the same level of service and accommodations and differ only in the refund schedule. In all plans, refunds are made after the apartment or home is vacated, contracted, and paid for by a new resident. In the event of co-residents, refunds are made upon the withdrawal, permanent transfer to another level of care or death of the surviving resident.
- If my funds deplete, will I be asked to leave the community?
- No one has ever been asked to leave the Presbyterian Senior Living system of care because they had outlived their resources. There is, however, an application process, which requires that eligibility for Medical Assistance and other third-party reimbursements be maintained. This means if a person does not divest or give away assets, we have an unwavering history of keeping our commitment to the people we serve.
- How do you handle refunds when residents leave the community?
- Under all entrance fee plans, any refund is payable 60 days after the apartment or patio home has been vacated, the resident has permanently departed from all levels of care in the community, and at which time the apartment or home has been reoccupied.
