Do Life Plan Communities Have to Offer a Full Continuum of Care?
The short answer is no, they don’t have to offer a full continuum of care. A Life Plan Community starts with independent living and then only has to offer either assisted living, memory care or skilled nursing (but not all of these). Unlike a community with a full continuum of on-site care like Freedom Village, if you choose a community with only one additional level of living, you or your spouse could have to move during a medical emergency. Or, at the very least, you could have to pay for two different communities.
What Does a Life Plan Community Typically Include?
Here are the services and amenities that are usually included:
- Home and lawn maintenance
- Most utilities
- A variety of amenities, such as fitness centers, pools, gardens and performing arts centers.
- A host of programs, such as continuing education classes, musical performances, fitness and wellness classes, art programs and much more
- Housekeeping services
- Specialty transportation services
- Security services
- Flexible, fresh, chef-prepared dining options
- The promise of future care, if ever needed
What You’ll Find at Freedom Village
As the list below shows, at Freedom Village we go far beyond what’s typically included at Life Plan Community. Our services and amenities include:
- Maintenance-free residences
- Personalization services upon move-in
- Daily check-in system
- Housekeeping and flat linen services
- Lawn care and grounds maintenance
- Restaurant-style, chef-prepared dining
- Fitness classes and wellness programs, including yoga
- Lifelong learning, discussions, classes and outings
- Frequent shows and concerts on campus
- Regularly scheduled transportation
- Personal concierge services
- Parking and valet service
- Banking and postal services
- 24/7 security
- Basic cable and all utilities (except phone and internet)
- Wi-Fi access
- In-home emergency response system
- Pet-friendly senior living
- Courtyards, gardens and walking paths
- Multiple dining venues, including a formal dining room and a café/bistro
- Fully equipped fitness center
- Heated indoor pool
- Arts and crafts studio
- Woodworking shop
- Game room
- Full-service salon and barbershop
- Library
- Inviting gathering spaces
- Wellness center
- Private dining room for family gatherings
- General store
- Community flower and vegetable garden
- Atrium and theater with baby grand piano
Different Contract Types Life Plan Communities Offer
When it comes to senior living, the difference is in the details and, in this case, the community contract spells out every little one. Life Plan Communities offer several different types of contracts so it’s important to know what each type covers. To help, here’s a breakdown of your options and a brief overview below.
Type A (also referred to as Life Care)
At a Life Plan Community that offers Life Care, like Freedom Village, you pay an entrance fee, which is often partially refundable to you or your estate and a monthly service fee. Type A contracts typically ensure priority access to all levels of care the community offers at predictable, below-market rates. If you or your spouse need different levels of care, you’ll often pay just one monthly fee plus any additional meals needed.
Type B (also called modified plan)
These communities include housing and services and amenities, and just like at a Type A community, you’ll pay a one-time entrance fee and a monthly service fee. However, the care structure is vastly different. As part of your entrance fee, you may receive care in one of two ways: 1) a limited number of free days of health care, with additional days billed at per diem market rates, or 2) an ongoing, minimally discounted rate. However, if you and your spouse need different levels of care, you may end up paying two monthly service fees to cover those two different care levels.
Type C (also known as fee-for-service)
Housing and services are provided, and the entrance fee and monthly service fee tend to be much lower than with the other two contract types. You may have access to care, but it will be charged at market rates, which are typically much higher than a Type A or B contract. Also, if you live in independent living but need care on a short-term basis, you may be required to pay your monthly service fee for your independent living residence, plus the costs of housing and the health care you receive.
Rental
Not all communities require an entrance fee – rental communities charge you rent by the month. Some rental communities usually have year-long leases while other might literally be month-to-month obligations. People who choose rentals may prefer the flexibility; however, rental monthly service fees may be higher than what you’d pay in a comparable entrance fee community. Many rental contracts don’t offer on-site care or provide you with priority access to health care services. If you ever do need care, you’ll have to pay for it at full market rates, while also covering your monthly rent.
Enjoy Independent Living Backed with a FULL Continuum of Care at Freedom Village
Freedom Village is an award-winning Life Plan Community with exemplary independent living and a FULL continuum of care including assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation – rare in Holland, MI. Want to see it first-hand? Use our Community Assistant chat feature or contact us to schedule a personal visit and experience our community today!
