The new Sumter Place Assisted Living

[jane032657]

I am moving my mom down from Seattle on August 29th (which is exciting because my husband and I will be moving down hopefully by end of October). I have an apartment booked at Steeplechase for her which is a retirement home and I know many of you have parents and in laws there as you have shared your reviews of it with me. I decided to also take a look at Sumter Place which just opened, it is assisted living but you can be independent with no needs and live there as well. Does anyone have a parent or inlaw living there and what is your experience with it in regard to staffing, ambience, activities, food, etc. Thanks. Being so far away I value your input.

[missypie]

I am moving my mom down from Seattle on August 29th (which is exciting because my husband and I will be moving down hopefully by end of October). I have an apartment booked at Steeplechase for her which is a retirement home and I know many of you have parents and in laws there as you have shared your reviews of it with me. I decided to also take a look at Sumter Place which just opened, it is assisted living but you can be independent with no needs and live there as well. Does anyone have a parent or inlaw living there and what is your experience with it in regard to staffing, ambience, activities, food, etc. Thanks. Being so far away I value your input.

I am actually going there today to just check the place out. It is an absolutely BEAUTIFUL looking place. Location and surrounding areas are pretty as well. Lots of luck with your decision.

[tghoul]

I am moving my mom down from Seattle on August 29th (which is exciting because my husband and I will be moving down hopefully by end of October). I have an apartment booked at Steeplechase for her which is a retirement home and I know many of you have parents and in laws there as you have shared your reviews of it with me. I decided to also take a look at Sumter Place which just opened, it is assisted living but you can be independent with no needs and live there as well. Does anyone have a parent or inlaw living there and what is your experience with it in regard to staffing, ambience, activities, food, etc. Thanks. Being so far away I value your input.

It hasn't opened yet. It had planned on opening in late June however the paperwork from the State of Florida is running at least 45 days late. The last I heard they were hoping to open in early August. I've taken two tours and it is very nice inside.

[jane032657]

I have opened two assisted living new buildings/communities myself in Seattle for two different companies. State paperwork is always delayed. Thanks for letting me know. I am trying to find out the price for a one bedroom, not including any add on care fees, just the one bedroom. Do you happen to know? I was looking at the one bedroom Model A and Model C. No one answers when I call....

[villager99]

one thing to to consider re afl's in or near the villages is golf cart accessibility for the resident and/or visitors. i believe sumter place is accessible while steepchase is not.

[carm310]

I took my dad for a tour at the beginning of May and it is a beautiful facility. We are not quite ready for an assisted living facility for him yet. At nearly 85 years old he is still able to be independent. There will be an independent facility next to the assisted facility next year. We have had contact with two of the employees there and they were both helpful and answered all of our questions.

[jane032657]

My mom does not need assisted living yet either. What I do consider in the decision is it is nice to have a "last move" at 90 rather than going to independent and then something happens and going to assisted living and having to make new friends and readjust again. You can just pay the apartment price at assisted living and not have add on care, it is usually a little pricier than straight retirement home options but then when care is needed, it is just an add on and you do not need to relocate if your care needs get significant. But I am still considering Steeplechase and wish the Sumter had the Independent built already. We cannot wait, it has to be one or the other. My mom lives with us now in Seattle but we bought a villa and it is not big enough for the three of us and the two dogs...She will do better with a lot of activities around her and people, she gets lonely with just us who are out and about so much. And my dad just passed away in December and she would thrive with friends around.

[duffysmom]

My mom does not need assisted living yet either. What I do consider in the decision is it is nice to have a "last move" at 90 rather than going to independent and then something happens and going to assisted living and having to make new friends and readjust again. You can just pay the apartment price at assisted living and not have add on care, it is usually a little pricier than straight retirement home options but then when care is needed, it is just an add on and you do not need to relocate if your care needs get significant. But I am still considering Steeplechase and wish the Sumter had the Independent built already. We cannot wait, it has to be one or the other. My mom lives with us now in Seattle but we bought a villa and it is not big enough for the three of us and the two dogs...She will do better with a lot of activities around her and people, she gets lonely with just us who are out and about so much. And my dad just passed away in December and she would thrive with friends around.

Jane, a friend recently moved to Mission Oaks on 301 in Oxford and loves it. It is a rather small facility and the residents seem to be happy with their surroundings. I believe it opened approximately 2 years ago. I was impressed.
Mission Oaks (http://www.missionoaksliving.com/)

[villager99]

another consideration might be access to the social activities available at village recreation centers (including village pools) which i believe are available to residents of the freedom pointe independent senior living facility but not most of the other facilities in the area.

[jane032657]

Thank you. Freedom Pointe is a buy in, different concept. My mom does not do activities, but she does like to socialize so a retirement home with bus rides, meals, socials, movies, day trips is perfect. We will take her out to the town sqaure sometimes for music. I appreciate all the suggestions. I look forward to hearing back from Sumter Place but may stay with Steeplechase as it is about 13 minutes by car from the Haciendas at Mission Hills where our home is.

[buzzy]

Don't want to hijack this thread, but can long term care insurance go toward the cost of these assisted living facilities?

[jane032657]

Long term care insurance can be used in an assisted living or a nursing home when a person needs assistance with 3/5 activties of daily living: dressing/bathing/eating/mobility/toileting. LTC insurance only kicks in at that time. Most LTC insurance can also be used to hire someone privately in the home when the same 3/5 needs exist but they pay less for that. Long term care insurance is most normally between the owner of the policy and the insurance company. The Assisted Living/Nursing Home does not usually get involved in that, from my experience as an Assisted Living Administrator. We have a long term care policy as well and that is how it will work if we ever need it. Long term care will not pay for assisted living unless you have significant daily activities of living care needs. Hope this helps.

[carm310]

There are also benefits for veteran's (and spouse). A significant amount of the cost is covered if in assisted living.

[jane032657]

Veterans does have support but waiting for a response can take up to a year. My dad died while he was waiting and I applied for my mom when she was in a nursing home very ill and I still have had no response. They are at least 6-12 months behind and I have escalated my requests before with no avail. So while there are benefits, I have been told and experienced that many people die waiting to get approved. Very sad for those who served our country.

[tghoul]

I have opened two assisted living new buildings/communities myself in Seattle for two different companies. State paperwork is always delayed. Thanks for letting me know. I am trying to find out the price for a one bedroom, not including any add on care fees, just the one bedroom. Do you happen to know? I was looking at the one bedroom Model A and Model C. No one answers when I call....

I'm not sure about the price for a 1 bedroom but if I recall the studio is aprox. $3,300 per month.

[dsned]

so Sumter Place is not a buy in??

[KittyKat]

No. Freedom Pointe is the only buy-in in the immediate area.

[buzzy]

Long term care insurance can be used in an assisted living or a nursing home when a person needs assistance with 3/5 activties of daily living: dressing/bathing/eating/mobility/toileting. LTC insurance only kicks in at that time. Most LTC insurance can also be used to hire someone privately in the home when the same 3/5 needs exist but they pay less for that. Long term care insurance is most normally between the owner of the policy and the insurance company. The Assisted Living/Nursing Home does not usually get involved in that, from my experience as an Assisted Living Administrator. We have a long term care policy as well and that is how it will work if we ever need it. Long term care will not pay for assisted living unless you have significant daily activities of living care needs. Hope this helps.

Jane,


Thanks for the thoughtful post. We actually have our LTC policies. I just wanted to make sure that this kind of facility was not ruled out. What I gather is that when I qualify for coverage (like 3/5), I can shop for a facility of my choosing.

[asianthree]

Veterans does have support but waiting for a response can take up to a year. My dad died while he was waiting and I applied for my mom when she was in a nursing home very ill and I still have had no response. They are at least 6-12 months behind and I have escalated my requests before with no avail. So while there are benefits, I have been told and experienced that many people die waiting to get approved. Very sad for those who served our country.

most people have no idea that it takes up to three years in other states, my dad's wait was 3years 4months and 17days. Its heartbreaking

[jane032657]

Chose Sumter Place for my mom instead of Steeplechase. I decided it was better to move her where I would not have to move her again when she needs more assistance, and she can get her minimal support she needs for showers right there. They also have a doctors clinic going in on site with lab and xray, physio and occupational therapy. The apartment itself she is getting is $600 more than Steeplechase, and smaller, but you always pay for the fact that nursing and extra staff are available at assisted living vs retirement home. You do add on costs for extra care of course but you pay more by the fact they are there. I also liked that the property is withing The Villages itself so we or I can go by golf cart to visit and take her for golf cart rides. We chose an apartment on the second floor overlooking the putt putt golf with a patio and a living room with fireplace right outside her apartment. The staff have been very nice to deal with. Unfortunately I cannot do a tour until I move her in this coming August, but I have heard from many reliable sources it is a gorgeous building. If you want a one bedroom they start at $4500. My mom got a larger studio.

[hotrodgirl]

Best of luck and I am happy you are pleased with your decision! It sounds lovely and I am glad to know about it as well. Thoughtful thread fo many who may have had questions. I trust your Mom will thrive there and enjoy this new adventure in her life!

[bxmt54]

There is also Lexington Park on Hwy. 466 just a little east of the Haciendas of Mission Hills. You couldn't access it by golf cart but it would be very, very close to you. They are also building a skilled care and rehab facility right next door to it.

[jane032657]

Thanks, I did visit Lexington Park but it did not speak to me as a place my mom would do well at. She loved her respite stay at Sunrise Senior Living (which I opened as a new building quite a few years back) recently while we were in Alaska, it is very elegant and upscale and I think Sumter Place will have that same ambience. I did like the proximity very much of Lexington Place though, that was in the "plus" category for me. Thank you for bringing that forward as an option. i am appreciative.

[jgbama]

This thread has been very helpful. We are bringing my MIL, who is 91 (will be 92 in September). We plan for her to live with us initially, but know that down the road we won't be able to provide the level of care she needs.

Thanks Jane and all the best with your Mom.

[jane032657]

My mom is living with us now. Both my parents lived with me, then they went to a retirement home in Seattle after my mom broke her femur. Then my dad died in December and my mom went into hospital two hours after he passed away for emergency bowel blockage surgery. Then she was out of it for three months in a rehab and now is with us. I think it is wonderful to look after a parent, but also as a caregiver it is taxing and exhausting. I am excited about having her in The Villages in Assisted Living and being able to drive my golf cart to pick her up and take her for a ride, have a nice day together, and then take her home to her own place where she can have friends of her own which are easy to visit with right outside her apartmentand activities that suit her.

[jblum315]

I must be confused. The sign says "Independent Living." Everyone writing about it on TOTV says "Assisted Living." There is a huge difference. Does it have both?

[jane032657]

What that means is that you can live there with no need for additional services, such as medication management or a stand by assist for showers or other increased levels of service care. You can live there and have your three meals a day, enjoy activities, outings, excercise, all that it has to offer, as well as enjoy The Villages. But when you need the care, then you can add on to your experience there by having levels of care as per what you need help with. So move in and enjoy everything it has to offer, that is independent living. Or move in, enjoy everything and have caregiver support, that is assisted. The base rents are the same for similar apartments no matter if you have care or not, but every type of apartment has a different cost. The care is what starts to be added on as you need more and more. So if you and I both have a one bedroom apartment at a cost of $4500, we each get the same amenities offered such as I mentioned above. But if I need help with a shower and medications, I will pay additional for those services on top of my rent. You however with no needs just pay your rent. You are independent. I am assisted in this scenario.

[jane032657]

Also just to respond about independent living, I think you are probably referring to the difference between this and a retirement home whihc is independent living. SOmeplace like Steeplechase is a retirement home and they are not licensed to provide any care, so if you live there, you have to be quite independent in regard to dressing, bathing, eating, mobility, toileting, etc. There is no help. Now having said that, you can contract for private caregiving with an agency or private person to assist you while you live within a retirement home, but there can come a point where you need too much care and have to move. So then you are paying your rent at the retirement home and paying privately for care. Assisted living is licensed to have caregivers and nursing in house so for the most part you do not have to move again, you just increase your levels of care. Many independent people, quite like my mom, will live there and add on care when it is needed. That way they can live in a lovely place and as needs increase, they can be looked after in their same apartment without having to relocate and make new friends, get readjusted, etc

[tcaine]

My father (age 86) is moving into a 2 BR assisted living apartment in Sumter Place tomorrow (August 6). Although we liked the layout of the 1BR better, they were all taken and there is a waiting list. I worked for CMS years ago, and have had experience with many, many facilities throughout the country --- Sumter Place is one of the best I've encountered.
I've met most of the management team - very caring, a great staffing philosophy and mission driven.
It is golf cart accessible - a quick ride from my home in Sabal Chase to the front door!

[bxmt54]

You might also be looking at the sign for the Independent living facility which will be 4 stories and will be built in the future right next door to Sumter Place.

[jane032657]

My mom moves in August 29, we are bringing her from Seattle. She has a studo facing the putt putt green, on the first floor. The staff have been wonderful to work with, they are very busy and pay attention to detail! I like that as a former Assisted Living administrator!

[asianthree]

:coolsmiley: thanks for the info

[lakeoscawana]

What that means is that you can live there with no need for additional services, such as medication management or a stand by assist for showers or other increased levels of service care. You can live there and have your three meals a day, enjoy activities, outings, excercise, all that it has to offer, as well as enjoy The Villages. But when you need the care, then you can add on to your experience there by having levels of care as per what you need help with. So move in and enjoy everything it has to offer, that is independent living. Or move in, enjoy everything and have caregiver support, that is assisted. The base rents are the same for similar apartments no matter if you have care or not, but every type of apartment has a different cost. The care is what starts to be added on as you need more and more. So if you and I both have a one bedroom apartment at a cost of $4500, we each get the same amenities offered such as I mentioned above. But if I need help with a shower and medications, I will pay additional for those services on top of my rent. You however with no needs just pay your rent. You are independent. I am assisted in this scenario.

Does anyone know the cost for a 1 bedroom apt for the assisted living at Sumter Place?
thanks.

[jane032657]

I think $3800 and up. Call Amy Cearly there. My mom LOVES it there, great care, entertainment, activities and friendship. Wonderful staff.

[golfermike22]

We have had my wife's mother at Mission Oaks for about a year. Does your mother have memory issues? Do they have night time activities?

[jane032657]

My mom does not have memory issues. She is independent overall but I do pay for stand by assist for showers as a safety factor. They have movies every night, and they do go out sometimes in the evening to th emovies of the town squares or for dinner. They have tons of entertainment coming in, drive to doctors appointments, etc.
They are building a new independent community and a new memory care community on each side of Sumter Place owned by the same company. The new independent will have a big bar and pool area.
I think there are some people there with memory issues but it is not a secure community so I doubt there are people there who need the full memory care of someone who is more advanced. However, the new building will be on its way.

[cquick]

I sure wish they had an indoor pool at one of the assisted living facilities. I am still dissapointed that The Villages does not have an indoor pool for aquasize classes, especially in the winter. My mom lived at Good Samaritan in Kissimmee and she used the indoor pool for exercise 3 times a week.

[jane032657]

The new pool which will go into the Independent Living next to Sumter Place will be available to all residents of Sumter Place Assisted Living. They will also have a restaurant in the Independent Living I heard, open to the community. I am sure on the pool and bar, not 100% on the restaurant but pretty sure...

[golfermike22]

Thank you for the feedback.

[Bobbie416]

Just want to say how lucky you all are to still have your parents. My mother died when she was 63 and my father at 73. They never required special care or assistance. My husband and I have no long term care insurance at all. Most of my friends who have parents in assisted care facilities have bought long term care insurance for themselves. I do not mean to hijack this thread, but do most of you have long term care insurance? I would like to at least look into it, but my husband seems to feel that there is no need to. His parents were much older when they died, but his father required no long term care and his mother needed it for just three weeks, as she died three weeks after we hired someone to care for her in her own home, which is what she wanted.