[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[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]

Originally Posted by 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....

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