[Howdy]

The Villages has many options for those who choose to live in Asst. Living/Independent Living my question for those who have or are considering those options ...

Which ones offer the best value for $$$.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Howdy

The Villages has many options for those who choose to live in Asst. Living/Independent Living my question for those who have or are considering those options ...

Which ones offer the best value for $$$.

I'm not sure that assisted living is a category of expense that I would bargain hunt.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by Howdy

The Villages has many options for those who choose to live in Asst. Living/Independent Living my question for those who have or are considering those options ...

Which ones offer the best value for $$$.

Assistant living and Memory care should never be a best value. Even with a highly sought memory care facility my parent, was “Lost” for 5 hours. Her band was working properly no exit from wing to keep her safe.

However the system was disabled, by a worker, and patients were free to move from their area. We weren’t notified until hour 3, that some residents were still missing. Eventually found but had fallen down set of stairs with fractures, and unconscious. So $6,000 a month and highly sought after, sometimes isn’t safe.

So asking best value….instead ask where your loved one will be cared for and kept safe, is the question.

[Sabella]

Originally Posted by Howdy

The Villages has many options for those who choose to live in Asst. Living/Independent Living my question for those who have or are considering those options ...

Which ones offer the best value for $$$.

American house , wildwood Fl, 352 330 6268, my uncle was there. It’s a great place. I would include American house on my list of places you might want to check out for quality and great price.

[Babbs1957]

Back home -- Most of the locations we found bad were the ones we just showed up at without a call to set up a visit. In other words, they set you up for a visit at the best time when all cleaners are done or when they have the highest employee to patient ratio. When they refused to show us around, we knew something was up.

I did show up at a location and they were happy to walk us all around. My wife went back at a different time and found it to be the same. It wasn't the most expensive, nor the lowest. And it ticked the major box, close by.

Lastly.....most of the patients we saw or knew of in bad situations were under the forgotten patent list........if you drop them off and only return once in awhile for a visit and a check on conditions, then don't complain. You don't care so why should they.

[bespoke]

Originally Posted by Howdy

The Villages has many options for those who choose to live in Asst. Living/Independent Living my question for those who have or are considering those options ...

Which ones offer the best value for $$$.

I have lived at Freedom Pointe independent living in The Villages for almost three years. I could not be happier and pat myself on the back daily for making such a great decision.

[Altavia]

Our 93 yo Father has been at Steeplechase independent living for two years and is thriving.

They often offer trial discounts for the first few months.

[retiredguy123]

When shopping for independent living, make sure that you are comparing apples to apples. Many of these facilities charge an entrance fee that has a large component for long term care insurance, although they don't call it that. They refer to the facility as a continuing care retirement community (CCRC). So, you are paying for future health care that you may never need. For example, Freedom Pointe may charge an entrance fee of $400K, but if you move out 4 years later, the $400K is totally gone and will not be refunded. Other facilities charge a monthly fee that does not include the long term care insurance. Some of these facilities are Sumter Senior Living and Watercrest. Independent living does not include any health care. Also, if you want to maintain your status as a Villages resident and use the golf courses, rec centers, and other amenities, you need to ask the facility if they have an agreement with the developer to have a Villages resident ID card. Otherwise you will no longer be a Villages resident.

[rjm1cc]

Try using Ai to see if it can find the range of rates for the homes in the villages. You can then ask to search for complaints etc

[NYBob]

We're looking as well. One thing we're considering is proximity to ER/medical care. We would like to avoid 'The Villages Hospital', now UF Health Spanish Plaines. So we're more focused at the southern end closer to Leesburg and Advent Waterman hospitals. Though at the moment there doesn't seem to be many ALFs available there.

If anyone could comment as to what areas are served by the two aforementioned hospitals it would be appreciated. Not sure exactly how far down south one needs to be.

You might want to give this a look.... The 20 Best Assisted Living Facilities in The Villages, FL | Seniorly
I can't speak to the 'reviews' but there is a convenient map feature that lays them all out for you. Remember to select either Assisted or Independent for your search.

Also get on their mailing list. They'll invite you to gatherings and such. We were invited to 4th of July, Fall celebrations, ect. These are a chance to mingle with the residents and get the real story instead of the staged tours they give.

[bowlingal]

American House in Wildwood is an excellent independent living facility . Behind Dollar Tree on 466A. You will not have villages access though. But, they do have a pool, hot tub, excellent dining, clubs, activities. Apartments with w/d and stoves. Worth to check out. An ER is just down on 466A. That's where I am planning to go, when the time comes.

[FenneyFanatic]

I highly recommend that you reach out to Josephine from Your Key To Senior Living Options. She can help match you with facilities that would best meet your financial, social, medical needs. Her services are completely free. The company has helped over 1000's families in The Villages! Her direct number is 352-973-2729.

[Altavia]

Some of these places are like a cruise ship on land.

Based on experience with parents, it's better to make the transition earlier when you can still manage things on your own than later when you'll need help.

[Ptmcbriz]

My 94 year old father was in Watercrest memory care for a year before he passed. I was always impressed by the facility and staff. They had so many activities and weekly live concerts where they would bring memory care patients out to the main area to enjoy the music. They even went on monthly field trips in the facility bus just to get them out a bit but they never left the bus. It was just a visual trip for them for safety. The facility has a wine bar, restaurant style meals in the main area, a pool, and golf cart accessible in The Villages. I didnt see the independent area but they had up to 3 bedroom apartments in independent and allowed pets.

[Lovey2]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

When shopping for independent living, make sure that you are comparing apples to apples. Many of these facilities charge an entrance fee that has a large component for long term care insurance, although they don't call it that. They refer to the facility as a continuing care retirement community (CCRC). So, you are paying for future health care that you may never need. For example, Freedom Pointe may charge an entrance fee of $400K, but if you move out 4 years later, the $400K is totally gone and will not be refunded. Other facilities charge a monthly fee that does not include the long term care insurance. Some of these facilities are Sumter Senior Living and Watercrest. Independent living does not include any health care. Also, if you want to maintain your status as a Villages resident and use the golf courses, rec centers, and other amenities, you need to ask the facility if they have an agreement with the developer to have a Villages resident ID card. Otherwise you will no longer be a Villages resident.

Most of what you said about Freedom Pointe is not true. There is no "entrance fee". You are purchasing your unit and how it "goes" after you do is something you have the option to decide. Anyone reading this if you're interested in any of the places mentioned, I'd go there and get the info from them.