A Faith Deepened: Mary Frances Horton’s Journey at Santa Marta
Learn how Mary Frances Horton’s faith deepened at Santa Marta through community life, spiritual service, and bringing Communion to residents who live in Health Care.
If you’ve ever considered moving to a continuing care retirement community (CCRC)— or Life Plan Community as they’re called today — the question “How much does it cost to live in independent living?” has surely come up. The answer depends on a number of factors, including the floor plan you select, the various fees associated with residency, the services and amenities provided, as well as the location of the community you choose. Here’s a brief introduction to the general cost of living in a retirement community, and a look at some of the costs and fees you’ll encounter at Santa Marta.
Some cost definitions to keep in mind.
If you want reassurance that your care needs will be met as you grow older, and you’d prefer not to move out of the community whenever your health status changes, a Life Plan Community may be right for you. Life Plan Communities offer a full range of services from independent living through assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing care. You can remain in one community regardless of changing senior care needs. A Life Plan Community can also accommodate couples who have one partner requiring a higher level of care than the other. Almost always, this type of community will charge an entrance fee and a monthly fee.
The one-time entrance fee is paid at move-in and is based on the residence you choose and how many people will be living there. It’s what allows the community to provide lifetime care services. Entrance fees may be nonrefundable or refundable up to a certain percentage, depending on the community. At Santa Marta, the entrance fee is 90% refundable to you or your estate, regardless of how long you live here.
The monthly fee covers everything else. At Santa Marta, your monthly service fee covers all interior and exterior maintenance of your villa or senior apartment home and the beautifully landscaped grounds, including a heated underground parking garage. The community amenities and recreational activities include a fitness center, indoor heated pool and therapy spa, chapel, card and game rooms, library, business center, beauty salon and barbershop, private dining rooms, and beautiful community rooms.
You can expect annual increases in your monthly fee that will offset expected increases in utilities, salaries and operating expenses. At Santa Marta, these increases typically average between 3% to 5%. The community will clearly communicate the need for any annual increase, specifically and well in advance.
Services and amenities included at Santa Marta
SERVICES
AMENITIES
Are health care benefits always included?
Some community contracts include full benefits for the progressive levels of living, while others require you to pay for these services as you go. The primary differences are that the former will likely have a larger entrance fee, whereas the entrance fee of the latter will be less. The rates you pay for care will differ as well. Most pay-as-you-go plans reflect a higher rate for the services you use than they would be with Life Care.
Agreeing to a Life Care contract at Santa Marta means that if higher levels of living, such as assisted living, memory care or skilled nursing are eventually needed, you won’t have to leave the community to access them. As stated, your rate will be discounted from standard market rates. What’s more, because they are already included in your residency contract, your monthly expenses will remain very predictable, and you will receive substantial savings if you need health services later. And at Santa Marta, you’ll never lose your residence or access to care services, even if your financial resources are depleted. You’ll have care for life.
A few additional questions to consider.
As you compare retirement communities, be sure to ask detailed questions, such as what amenities are included? Does housing include all utilities? What levels of living are provided? Are meals, housekeeping, and laundry service paid for as part of the monthly fee? Then compare all this to your current budget and what you think you might spend going forward. For example, what if you needed a housekeeper every week or multiple times a week if taking care of your home became more difficult?
Using Santa Marta’s Floor Plan Fit Calculator.
This online tool, floor plan fit calculator, lets you enter basic financial information to ascertain which of our various floor plans and their associated costs align best with your budget and lifestyle preferences. It’s fast, easy to use and completely confidential. If you’re wondering what it might cost to live at a luxury senior living community like Santa Marta, this is the perfect place to start.
If you have questions about the costs of senior living in general, or questions specifically regarding Santa Marta, we’ll be happy to provide answers and guidance, regardless of where you may ultimately choose to live. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance by contacting us through our website.
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